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HKRK VOr ARK. M\ Kli rKK ONE/' 


( Page 21 . i 








PEIDE; 

OR, 

A HAUGHTY SPIRIT BEFORE A FALL. 

A TALE 


MY YOUNG FRIENDS. 

</ 

By FRAJ^Z HOFFMAN. 


2;ran§Iateb from t^e ©erman 


EMMA LOUISE PARRY. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

LUTHERAN PUBLICATION SOCIETY. 
1883. 


. H 


rx^ 


COPYRIGHT : 

LUTHERAN PUBLICATION SOCIETY. 

1882. 


INQUIRER P. & P. CO., 
PRINTERS AND STEREOTYPERS, 
LANCASTER, PA. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER I. PAGE. 

The Baker Boy 5 

CHAPTER II. 

A Conspiracy 33 

CHAPTER III. 

A Friend 71 

CHAPTER IV. 

Increasing Favor ico 

CHAPTER V. 

Fortune’s Arrogance 135 

(3) 


4 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 


CHAPTER VI. 

Pride Goes Before Destruction 154 

CHAPTER VII. 

The Atonement of Repentance 18 1 


0 


PRIDE; 


OR, 


A Haughty Spirit Before a Fall. 


CHAPTER L 


THE BAKER BOY. 



NE cold, gloomy winter morning of the year 


^ 1686, a poorly clad boy of about twelve 
years of age hastened toward the Kreml, the 
sacred palace of the Russian Czar, along the 
street which, by means of an alley, led to the 
interioi* of the city of Moscow. In prolonged 
tones, which sounded above the noise and confu- 
sion of the thronging, swelling mass of people 
on foot, in sleds, on horse, he cried out his ware : 
small pies, which, well covered and protected 


I* 


5 


6 


PRIDE. 


from the icy cold, he carried in a small basket 
hanging from his shoulder by a strap. 

Buy ! buy ! buy ! ” he cried, with a ringing 
voice. “ Buy pastry soft and warm ! Pastry 
from Korsakoff, the best pastry baker in all 
Moscow ! Buy ! buy ! pastry fresh and warm, 
just from the oven ! See here, father! see, only 
smell I Ah, how they smell ! The cook of the 
Czar cannot make better ones ! Buy, buy, pastry 
from Korsakoff!” 

So calling and crying, he pressed his way 
through the thronging mass of humanity, with 
dexterity and skill. Casting his clear sparkling 
eye about in all directions, he discontinued his 
cry as he espied certain persons, to whom he 
would speak and praise his precious wares with 
great flattery. 

“Buy some, father!” applying to a bearded 
old man who, enveloped in his mantle, walked 
along with great dignity. “ Buy, mother !” to a 
huckster-woman who offered pots and cans for 
sale at the corner of the street. “ Buy some and 


THE BAKER BOY. 


7 


warm yourself with the hot pastry ! nothing is 
so good to drive away the frost ! Sharp and hot 
are the spices. A fine protection against the 
cold morning wind.” / 

Many ^accepted the invitation of the boy ; others 
turned away, now harshly, now with a smile; and 
his basket was not half emptied when he finally 
reached the guard-house of the Kreml, where a 
division of the Strelitzes of the. body-guard of 
the Czar guarded the entrance to the palace. 

It was a wild, desperate, heedless company, 
these brave but unbridled life-guards, and all the 
people feared to come in contact with them. Just 
as the boy reached the vicinity of the guard- 
house, a dozen or more of the soldiers were 
standing around a peasant, having their sport by 
scoffing and tormenting him, terrifying him by 
swinging their clubs with fierce gestures above 
his head. 

“ What do you want here?” they cried to him. 

What do you seek in the Kreml ? People do 
not slip in here as though it were a miserable 


8 


PRIDE. 


farm-yard ! The rogue wanted to steal ! Cut 
off his beard, and drive him away with the lash !” 

The poor old man stood, trembling and shak- 
ing, humbly entreating, with uplifted hands, first 
one, then another. 

“ Let me go, merciful sirs !” he begged, full of 
agony. “ Poor old Iwan did not want to steal ! 
He only wished to see the splendor of the pal- 
ace, the gold dome, and, if possible, the illustri- 
ous countenance of the Czar! Poor old Iwan 
has come from the country to the city for the 
first time ! He did not know what the custom is 
here 1 ” 

“ Could you not have asked, peasant?” cried a 
subaltern officer of the Strelitzes. “ Does any 
one pass by the body-guard of the king in such 
a manner, and without a passport ? Down with 
him ; deal him twelve strokes and then let him 
go 1 He will, at least, not return here again I ” 

The poor peasant cried and groaned piteously, 
but the soldiers, only laughing at his distress, 
were on the point of throwing him upon the 


THE BAKER BOY. 


9 


ground, when suddenly the pastry boy stepped 
forward, and his appearance occasioned a halt. 
For some time he had been looking upon the 
scene with great pity, and the old man, who was 
so powerless to escape the abuse, moved him to 
compassion. 

“ I will free him and rescue him ! ” he mut- 
tered, as the fiercest of the life-guards fell upon 
the old man; and quickly stepping forward, he 
raised his ringing voice with his usual cry : 

“ Pastry ! buy ! buy ! buy ! Pastry from Kor- 
sakoff, warm and delicious, just from the oven! 
Buy I buy 1 buy 1” 

The soldiers had scarcely heard the cry, when 
they quickly turned toward him, whilst a grim 
satisfaction was painted upon their fierce bearded 
faces. None heeded the peasant longer; his 
hands, which had been seized and bound, were 
again loosed ; and even the subaltern officer him- 
self looked graciously at the smoking pastry 
from which the boy had removed the protecting 


cover. 


lO 


PRIDE. 


“ Buy ! buy !” he cried again, and not appear- 
ing to heed the crowd about the peasant, he 
passed on toward the door to the inner yard, 
where a greater number of the soldiers of the 
body-guard were found. 

“ Alexaska, what is the matter with you ?” the 
officer cried after him. “ Do you not see us ? 
Here with the pastry ! Here ! Do you not 
hear, Alexaska ? Here !” 

“ I will take good care of myself, Jermoloff!” 
responded the boy in a tantalizing manner. 
“You might serve me as you do that peasant 
there, and in the end pay me for my pastry with 
strokes of the club. There are other people still 
in the yard ! Buy ! buy ! buy ! Pastry fresh 
from Korsakoff, hot and fresh ! ” 

The under-officer was full of wrath. “ He is 
going away from us !” he cried. “ After him ! 
If he reaches the court-yard first, we will not get 
one pie out of the lot Run after him and bring 
him back !” 

He himself set a good example by running on 


THE BAKER BOY. 


I I 

ahead, and the whole company of Strelitzes ran 
after him. The delicious pastry had driven away 
all thoughts of the peasant, and he was utteHy 
forgotten. 

The boy cast a hasty glance behind him, and 
as he noticed that the poor, distressed peasant 
had profited by the opportunity and quietly and 
swiftly slipped away, he laughed joyfully and 
stood still. 

^^Ha, ha, you are quite out of breath !” he said 
roguishly to the under-officer as he came near 
panting. “You cannot eat any pie now, for it 
will stick in^ your throat and choke you ! No, 
no, brave Strelitzes, you can have no pastry now ! 
Why, if you should all perish on the dainty bite, 
what a loss to the Czar ! You can have nothing 
here ! Hands off!” 

Twenty hands were stretched eagerly toward 
the basket, but the boy quickly covered it again, 
and the Strelitzes stood before him confounded. 

“Alexaska, my dove,” flattered the subaltern, 
— “ only a few I See, I have fasted the whole 


2 


PRIDE. 


morning! Only a few for Jcrmoloff, my little 
one 1” 

Good, good 1 ” responded the boy, still teas- 
ing. “You shall have as many as you wish! 
But first, do your duty ! The peasant must re- 
ceive the strokes ! Duty first, then pleasure !” 

“ Seize the peasant !” cried Jermoloff zealously 
to his people. “ Seize him ! ” 

The soldiers turned around — the peasant was 
nowhere to be seen, and dumfounded they 
looked from one to the other. Alexaska laughed 
loudly. 

“ It is your fault; you let him escape !” roared 
the subaltern, now full of wrath, and rushing to- 
ward the boy to let him feel the full force of his 
, fist; but Alexaska laughed still louder and re- 
treated a few steps. 

“ What do you mean ?” said he, lightly. “ Did 
I set him free? It was you, yourself! And if 
the Czar finds it out, then you will receive the 
punishment. But let him run, the poor fellow ! 
In truth, he had done nothing wrong! There, 


THE BAKER BOY. 1 3 

rather take some of the pastry to close your 
great mouth with !” 

The sight of the delicious pastry, from which 
the boy had now quickly removed the cover, 
softened the anger of the fierce warrior; his 
wrinkled brow became smooth, his big mouth 
drew itself into a broad grin from ear to ear, and 
his little eyes glistened with satisfaction. He 
went bravely to work, and his comrades also, and 
all ate, ate, ate, and smacked their lips until the 
last pie in the basket had disappeared. They 
then rubbed their bearded mouths, and turned 
their backs to Alexaska. 

“ Oho, it is not meant in that way !” said the 
boy. “You must pay me, or I will not let you go. 
You had twelve pieces, Jermolofif ! — you ten, you 
seven, you eight, you nine, — reach into your pock- 
ets, brave Strelitzes, and out with your kopecs ! ”, 

Jermolofif and the soldiers appeared to have 
become suddenly deaf, and returned to their 
posts without noticing the boy. But Alexaska 
ran after them with loud cries. 


2 


14 


PRIDE. 


“ Pay me, you thieves !” he cried. “ Do you 
think that I shall receive strokes from my master 
because his pies tasted so good to you ? Out 
with your money, or I will cry until the Czar 
hears me. Pay me, pay me,” he continued, be- 
seechingly. “ You know well that Korsakoff 
almost beats the life out of my body when I do 
not bring back the money for the pastry.” 

“All right,” muttered Jermolofif, “then you 
will receive the strokes which you spared the 
peasant. I know nothing more concerning the 
pastry, and I will keep my money. Isn’t that so, 
comrades ?” 

“We know nothing about pastry; nothing at 
all !” cried the soldiers together. 

“ So ?” said Alexaska, and, his arms akimbo, 
he stood haughtily before Jermolofif “ And will 
you act in this manner? You know nothing 
about pastry ? You would act thus to a poor boy ? 
That is wicked and terrible in you ; and do you 
know. Father Jermolofif, to whom I will relate 
how you Have treated me ? Do you know that ?” 


THE BAKER BOY. 


5 


“ We know nothing ! — want to know nothing!” 
muttered the under-officer. “ March yourself, 
or—” 

“ So ? You want to know nothing ? But you 
shall know it,” spoke Alexaska with spirit. 
“ Think you I am afraid ? And now listen to 
me I If you do not on the spot pay me every 
kopec that you owe me, you and all the others, 
then I — I, Alexaska Menzikoff, will go to Lieu- 
tenant Kurakin, and tell him how you treated 
the peasant I ” 

“ Go to him I We know nothing about it ! 
Not so, comrades ?” 

“ Nothing ! Nothing at all 1 ” cried all in 
chorus. 

“ Ah, very well I Lieutenant Kurakin is my 
friend,” continued Alexaska, — “he praised my 
pies just yesterday, and he will beat the lies out 
of you ! And still further, Jermoloff, I will not 
come here again from this time forward, and will 
bring you pies no longer ! Do you hear, not 
another single one! I will go to the Preobra- 


i6 


PRIDE. 


zinski regiment! They eat pastry also, and pay 
for them 1” 

“ You intend to do that, Alexaska?” said Jer- 
moloff, upon whom the last threat appeared to 
make some impression. “You will not do that, 
my dove 1 — not do that, my little one 1” 

“ I will do it 1” replied the boy impetuously. 

“You dare not! You shall not!” cried the 
subaltern, stamping his feet. 

“ I will do it ! And you have no authority 
over me!” responded Alexaska. “I will do it, I 
promise you !” 

“ Then, I will tear your ears from your head!” 
roared Jermoloff. “Korsakoff’s pastry is the 
best in the whole world, and is only for the 
Strelitzes !” 

“Yes, if the Strelitzes pay for it,” responded 
the boy, bold ^nd fearless. “ I will go to the 
Preobrazinski !” 

“ Ay, so you shall you stubborn head, like — ” 
cried Jermoloff, full of anger, and rushing toward 
the boy to hit him on the ears and shake him 


THE BAKER BOY. 1 7 

vigorously. Alexaska cried as though he were 
at the spear’s point. * 

“ Jermoloff!” suddenly thundered a strong 
voice in a threatening tone from a window just 
above the courtyard. 

The under-ofhcer and the whole company of 
Strelitzes glanced upward immediately, and drew 
closer together with instant fear. 

“ The Czar !” they whispered, with white trem- 
bling lips. 

“Yes, the Czar, you scoundrels!” responded 
the voice, and a pair of powerful eyes glistened 
in anger, with a glance unable to be borne, upon 
the trembling Strelitzes. “ The Czar, who has 
seen and heard all 1” 

“ The Czar is great ! Mercy 1” stammered the 
pale lips. 

“ Out with your kopecs, you scoundrels I ” 
commanded the Czar. “ Pay the boy!” 

Every hand was reached into the pocket, and 
without stopping to count, the money was 
quickly thrown into the fur cap which Alexaska 
2* B 


i8 


PRIDE. 


had tom from his head the instant he had noticed 
the Czar at the window. 

“ Is it enough, my son ?” asked the Czar 
kindly. 

“ More than enough, your majesty !” answered 
the boy, boldly but respectfully. God bless the 
Czar!" 

“If you have received more than you right- 
fully demanded, so much the better for you 1" 
said the Czar with a pleasant smile. “ They owe 
it to you for the distress which they have caused 
you. I will also punish them for it." 

“ God preserve the Czar 1" said Alexaska, 
quickly. “ But I was not afraid, your Majesty ! 
Jermoloff had more fear than I had 1" 

“Why? "asked the Czar, smiling. 

“Because he thought he would receive no 
more pastry," replied the boy. “ If your Majesty 
most graciously will permit — I know a punish- 
ment for him 1" 

“ Speak 1" commanded the Czar. 

“ If he shall be obliged, for three whole days, 


THE BAKER BOY. 


19 


to see the others enjoy the pastry, then he will 
have punishment enough ! Will your Majesty 
only graciously reflect ? — pastry from Korsakoff!” 

“ Good I” said the Czar, and laughed. “ So 
shall it be ! You have heard, Jermoloff I Three 
days shall you fast, and the others with you ! I 
will give orders that this be carried out 1” 

The window was closed, and : “ Hurrah I long 
live the Czar!” cried the boy joyfully, with a 
clear voice and from a full heart. 

“ Now you have it, Jermoloff,” turning to the 
confounded officer. “ Had you been wiser, now 
you would have more money in your pocket and 
to-morrow would receive pastry ! Now you can 
smooth your beard ! And, moreover, you can be 
thankful for such a merciful punishment. If the 
Czar had been so inclined, worse could have 
happened to you. Therefore, no sober looks, 
father ! Three days will soon pass, and then you 
shall again receive the very best pastry !” 

Jermoloff ’s gloomy face brightened a little. 
“ Indeed, Alexaska, I believe you are right !” 


20 


PRIDE. 


said he, appeased, and extending his hand to the 
boy, who grasped it firmly and with sincerity. 
“ We will be friends again ! Only you must not 
fail to bring the pastry !” 

No, not if it is properly paid for ! No kopec 
— no pastry !” 

“ O, you are sure of that now !” said Jermolofif, 
despondingly ; “for in whomsoever the Czar is 
interested, he is sure of his money.” 

So they parted in friendship, and Alexaska 
joyfully turned down the street to return to his 
master. Thoughtfully Jermoloff looked after 
him. 

“ That boy is destined for something great !” 
he niurmured. “ The eye of the Czar has rested 
upon him with favor. I must keep him as a 
friend!” 

Unconcerned about this, whether Jermoloff 
was a friend or an enemy, Alexaska, in the 
meantime, hurried through the streets, and was 
just about turning a corner when he unexpect- 
edly encountered the peasant whom, by his 


21 


THE BAKER BOY. 

cunning, he had freed from the hands of t^ie 
Strelitzes. 

“ Here you are, my little one !” said the old 
man, embracing the boy. “ I have waited at this 
spot for you to thank you ! ” 

O, do not thank me !” replied Alexaska smil- 
ing. “You moved me to pity, and I could do 
nothing else but help you. God has commanded 
that it is our duty to help each other. But let 
me go now ! My master awaits, and if I reach 
home late he will whip me !” 

“Do not hurry! Not so fast!” answered the 
old man. “ Let me, at least, see your hand. 
God has given to poor old Iwan the gift of look- 
ing into the future of men, and your eye tells 
me that you are destined for great things !” 

Good-naturedly, Alexaska reached out his 
hand, which the peasant raised close to his eyes. 
He had scarcely glanced at the intertwining lines 
of the palm, when he drew back perplexed, even 
in fear, seized his fur cap from his gray head, and 
bowed, almost to the ground, before the boy. 


22 


PRIDE. 


“ Ah, father, have you become foolish ?” said 
Alexaska laughing. “ It is indeed only a poor 
baker boy before whom you bow so low.” 

“ O, my son, you will climb very high, high, 
high !” replied the old man as he raised his 
trembling hand higher and higher above the 
boy’s head. “You will be great and powerful 
as none in Russia, and no one will be above you 
but God and the Czar ! Do not forget it, boy ! 
— God and the Czar ! But woe to you, if you 
desire to climb higher !” 

“O, foolishness, father!” laughed Alexaska. 
“ Have you looked too deep into the glass, that 
you babble so? I have not time to listen to 
your babbling. Take care of yourself, and fare- 
well I” 

He tried to free himself and run away, but old 
I wan held him fast. 

“ Only one word more,” he said entreatingly. 
“ I have a boy at home, my son Paul Iwanowitz, 
and I love him. Promise me that you will favor 
him when you are raised in the lustre of power !” 


THE BAKER BOY. 


23 


“Yes, I promise you,” replied Alexaska, vac- 
illating between laughter and impatience. “ Send 
him to me when I have mounted as high as you 
affirm that I will in the future. It surely will 
not be higher than the tower of the sacred 
Iwan! There indeed I am above all in the 
world !” 

“ I have your promise, and I will rely upon it,” 
responded the ojd man solemnly. “ Now I will 
go, and the Lord of the world direct your steps ! 
My son, Paul Iwanowitz, will find you in the 
Kreml, and by this little cross you will recog- 
nize that he is my son.” 

The old man drew a little gold cross with four 
green stones from under his coat, where he had 
carried it upon his breast in concealment, and 
showed it to Alexaska. The latter threw a hasty 
glance at it, nodded to the old man, said farewell 
to him, and then, like an arrow, darted down the 
street to regain his lost time. 

Oh the way, he laughed to himself at the fool- 
ish old man, who had babbled to him of such 


24 


PRIDE. 


wonderful things, concerning which, naturally, 
he believed not a word. He, the poor baker ap- 
prentice, who scarcely possessed the necessary 
clothing, who had neither guardian nor friends, 
he shall rise so high, that no one in the Russian 
kingdom will be above him but God and the 
Czar ? This seemed altogether too ludicrous 
and laughable; and Alexaska laughed so heartily, 
that many a one in passing stopped and looked 
at him in astonishment, thinking that the youth 
must have lost his senses. A few days later, he 
had entirely forgotten the prophecy, and thought 
no more about the old man and his prattle. 

It happened that shortly after this, he again 
went to the Kreml with a basket filled with pas- 
try. It was a cold day, the air glistened with 
the frost which filled it like diamond dust ; and 
although the sun shone clear in the heavens, still 
it sent out only light, but no warm beams upon 
the frozen earth beneath. Alexaska shivered with 
cold, for his clothes were old and his jacket half 
moth-eaten, and his torn shoes" afforded him but 


THE BAKER BOY. 


25 


little protection from the icy cold. Therefore he 
jogged on briskly, crying all the louder, “ Buy! 
buy 1 buy ! Warm pastry from Korsakoff!” And. 
by the increased exertion his blood was driven 
more quickly through his veins. Soon he 
reached the door of the Kreml, and was just 
about to slip through, when a threatening voice 
frightened him back. 

“ O, woe !” he said to himself. “ Lieutenant 
Matoff is on guard, and he will not let me in, 
because I would not give him any pastry a short 
time ago, as he had no money. Now he hates 
me, the wicked man ! But patience — I will slip 
by him when he turns his back.” 

So he turned aside, and slipped into a grocery 
in the neighborhood, from which he could watch 
the entrance to the Kreml. The owner of the 
shop allowed him to remain, as well he' might, 
for the lively, cheerful boy always had a merry 
joke on hand. 

Warm yourself, warm yourself!” said he to 
the boy. “ It is so cold to-day that the birds fall 
3 


26 


PRIDE. 


down out of the air frozen. But why do you 
not go into the Kreml first, to sell your pastry, 
and come here afterward ?” 

“ See there, Lieutenant Matoff is there !” re- 
sponded Alexaska. “ He hates me, and will not 
let me pass !” 

“Yes, yes; he is a bad man; I know him 
well !” continued the grocer. “ He is not pleased 
with me either, for I would give him credit no 
longer. He was always in debt, and never had 
money to pay. But wait a little; he will soon 
go into the guard-house, and then you can pass 
in.” 

Indeed, he did not wait long, when the cold 
appeared too severe for the Lieutenant: He left 
his post and went into the guard-house. Quick ! 
Alexaska ran out of the store, and slipped by the 
sentinel unnoticed into the inner yard. Here he 
found a number of Strelitzes who had a longing 
for pastry, and his whole stock was sold at sight. 
After he had received his money and had re- 
mained a few moments to talk and joke with the 


THE BAKER BOY. 


27 


soldiers, he turned to go away. But just then 
there appeared, with rapid movement, a sleigh, 
drawn by three horses, which, driving through the 
gate, blocked the passage for the boy. The sleigh 
suddenly stopped close to Alexaska, and an offi- 
cer, with gold lace trimmings and decorated with 
orders, sprang out, drew forth his purse, handed 
the driver the fare, and then walked across the 
court to the inner building. Alexaska stooped 
down, snatched up something from the snow- 
covered earth, and ran quickly after the officer. 

Sir !” he cried. “ You have lost something !” 

The officer heard the cry, stood still, turned 
around, and looked upon the boy in a friendly 
manner. 

“ What do you want, child ?” he asked. 

Here, sir, to give back to you this gold piece, 
which fell out of your purse when you paid the 
driver!” said Alexaska, and handed the officer 
the shining gold piece. He did not take it, but 
in astonishment looked at the clear eyes and 
open, beautiful face of Alexaska. 


28 


PRIDE. 


“You are an honest boy!” said he, kindly. 
“ Put the gold piece away, and follow me. It is 
too cold to stand here. Come 1” 

Alexaska obediently followed the officer, and 
with him entered a large, beautifully ornamented 
room, such as his eyes had never before beheld. 
While he stood and stared, the officer removed 
his overcoat, seated himself in an arm-chair, and 
regarded the boy with smiling attention. 

“ What is your name ?” he aske'd suddenly. 

“Alexander Menzikoff,” answered the boy, 
promptly. “ The Strelitzes call me Alexaska.” 

“ Who are your parents, Alexaska?” 

“ O, they are dead long since. My father was 
a poor peasant. He left me nothing. I went to 
Moscow and begged, until the rich Korsakoff 
took me in his house. Now I carry his pastry 
and sell it. Shall I bring you some, sometime, 
sir ? O, but they are very good.” 

“ Thanks, thanks I” replied the officer laughing. 
“ But although I do not need your pastry, per- 
haps I can use you. Listen, Alexaska; your 


THE BAKER BOY. 


29 


honor has pleased me, and I want to do good to 
you. In fourteen days come here again, ask for 
General Le Fort, and I will give you something 
pleasing, perhaps. Tell your master to seek me 
to-morrow. Do you hear ?” 

I hear, sir, and will obey !” 

“ Go then, and do not forget. Here is another 
gold piece to add to the one which you found, to 
buy some warm clothing. The frost must turn 
the blood in your veins to ice, in such rags. 
God be with you !” 

Alexaska beamed with joy as he left the noble 
lord, and in his great joy, he did not think in 
the slightest of the wicked Lieutenant Matoff, 
but passed through the gate freely and boldly. 
But suddenly he felt the grip of a powerful 
hand upon his neck, and the dreaded Matoff 
cried in threatening voice : 

“ Aha, you rascal, how did you get in here ? 
Wait, I shall repay you, you rascal ! Hallo, 
drag him into the guard-house ; confine him for 
twenty-four hours on bread and water.” 

3 * 


30 


PRIDE. 


Alexaska begged for mercy, but it was una- 
vailing. The soldier seized him and dragged 
him away. 

“Hush, do not cry, Alexaska !” whispered a 
voice softly in his ear. “ It is I, Jermolpff, your 
friend ! Take care ! Now, tear yourself away, 
quick ! Run as fast as you can ! The Lieuten- 
ant will not overtake you !” 

Alexaska looked around him. Matoff, the 
wicked one, had just turned his back. Jermoloff 
nudged him, and with a jerk, Alexaska freed 
himself from the grasp of the Strelitzer, and now 
hurrah ! straight through the door, away he ran, 
beyond the lieutenant, into the crowded street. 
Matoff cried after him : “ Halt ! halt !” and a few 
soldiers ran after him — ^but they were not anxious 
to catch the little pastry boy, and Alexaska had 
legs too nimble for them. Thus, he fortunately 
escaped ) and it did the Lieutenant no good to 
threaten and scold. Alexaska was in safety. 

“All right, Mr. Matoff!” he muttered to him- 
self, as he returned to the house. “ One must be 


THE BAKER BOY. 


31 


afraid of you, but — beware! When you want 
pastry again, you shall certainly have the driest 
and stalest 1” 

Alexaska’s revenge did not soar higher, nor 
did his anger against the Lieutenant remain long, 
for the two gold pieces which clinked in his 
pocket made him too happy, and the fortunate 
cannot be angry. 

He imparted his joyful spirits to his master on 
his return home, relating his morning’s experi- 
ence, and the command that he himself should 
appear before General Le Fort on the next 
morning. His master praised his honesty, and 
the following day at the appointed hour betook 
himself to the Kreml, from which he returned 
with vexation,, saying that General LeFort could 
not be found. And again, when two weeks later 
Alexaska asked for him, he received the same in- 
formation ; so that he was obliged to accept the 
conclusion that either the General had forgotten 
him, or that he did not wish to see him again. 
Alexaska regretted it, but still he thought of 


32 


PRIDE. 


him with heartfelt gratitude. The warm jacket 
which Mother Korsakoff had bought for him 
with the gold-pieces of the General, did him so 
much good in the severe weather, and when he 
wrapped himself in it, it was so soft and warm, 
that he blessed, in his thoughts, the kind lord 
who, for a little honesty, had done so much good 
for him. 


CHAPTER 11. 


A CONSPIRACY. 

W EEKS and months slipped by ; the ice in 
the Neva melted, and in a great flood was 
carried to the sea ; the blades of grass sprouted ; 
the silver-stemmed birch clothed itself again in 
its beautiful leafy dress ; Alexaska’s jacket found 
its way into the clothes-press — and with the 
jacket disappeared gradually also all remem- 
brance of his benefactor himself. Seldom did 
Alexaska think of General Le Fort, and finally 
not at all. He had not visited him again, more 
because of his unwillingness to appear too urgent 
than for any other reason ; and so naturally the 
remembrance of the General would have disap- 
peared wholly and entirely, if it had not been 
brought very forcibly to his recollection by a 
strange circumstance. 

It happened in the following manner: 

(33) 


34 


PRIDE. 


Alexaska still continued daily to carry his 
basket of pastry to the guard-house and to the 
barracks of the Kreml, where he always found 
eager purchasers for his dainty wares. He had 
always been fortunate enough to escape the 
falcon glance of Lieutenant Matoff, who, as the 
worthy Jermoloff had informed him, had sworn 
to inflict a severe punishment upon him for es- 
caping from him before. Catch a man before 
you hurt him !” thought Alexaska, and was not 
at all intimidated, although he avoided falling 
under the notice of the fierce Lieutenant as much 
as possible. When it was his turn to be on 
guard, Alexaska preferred not to go near the 
Kreml, or slipped in and out so adroitly and cau- 
tiously that his enemy was unable to detect him. 

But one day he was overtaken and surprised 
in a manner which he had not anticipated. 

A few Strelitzes who enjoyed his company, 
had taken him with them to their room to have 
some sport with the merry lad. It was a distant 
room in the barracks, which lay outside of the 


A CONSPIRACY. 


35 


Kreml, but not far from it, and so no one 
thought they could be disturbed there; when, all 
at once, the keen ears of Alexaska detected a 
sound outside in the corridor — a voice which 
immediately filled him with fear. His bright, 
happy smile died away, his merry voice became 
mute, and his eyes glanced hastily about to dis- 
cover some passage for flight. But in vain. The 
large room had but a single door, and directly 
before this stood the man whose voice had so 
frightened him. 

“ What is the matter, Alexaska ?” asked one 
of the Strelitzes, as marking the sudden change 
in the countenance and behavior of the boy. 

“Do you not hear?” answered Alexaska. 
“Lieutenant Matofif is at the door, talking to 
some one. O, if he would only not come in 
here ! I shall be lost ! If he sees me, he will 
club me and imprison me on bread and water, as 
he has so often threatened !” 

“Yes, yes; it is he!” said the life-guardsman, 
as he, together with the rest, listened a few mo- 


36 


PRIDE, 


ments. Poor Alexaska! Now you cannot es- 
cape him ! But who knows ? Perhaps he will 
not come in here at all !” 

But this hope did not remain long. The sol- 
dier had scarcely finished speaking, when the 
door was opened, and a few officers, in uniform 
sparkling with gold, entered in proper rank and 
file. In his confusion and distress, Alexaska hid 
himself behind them as quickly as possible, and 
as he did not know anything better to do, he 
crept under the bed that stood in the farthest 
corner of the room. There he was securely hid, 
for no one could see him unless they stooped 
down to the floor and looked under the bed. 

“ This is the room that I referred to, Oberst !” 
said Matoff, to an officer glittering in gold and 
ornaments. 

“ It is well !” he answered, after he had thrown 
a sharp glance around the room, and a second 
one out of the single iron-barred window. “ We 
need your room this evening, friends. Go into 
another. Every one depart! Forward!” 


A CONSPIRACY. 


37 


The soldiers were obliged to obey, although 
they thought of Alexaska with considerable 
anxiety. With martial steps they marched out 
of the room and shut the door behind them. 
The poor boy under the bed shivered and trem- 
bled. 

“ Now we are alone,” continued the officer 
who had dismissed the soldiers. “ Are you cer- 
tain, Lieutenant Matoff, that no one can overhear 
us here ?” 

“ No one, Oberst !” replied Matoff. “ The 
walls are massive, of stone two feet thick. The 
door is very tight, and on the outside the sentinel 
paces up and down, and will allow no one to 
pass. The window is twenty feet from the 
ground. No room can be safer than this. We 
officers frequently use it for private banquets, 
and for that reason I am well acquainted with it. 
This custom will also avert any suspicion. The 
soldiers will think that it is a little banquet of the 
sort just mentioned, and so we will be all the 
safer.” 


4 


38 


PRIDE. 


' “ Good !” said Oberst. Thus it shall be. 
Inform the others. It is now six o’clock. When 
it strikes ten let all be present, at the risk of 
their heads. See to everything else, Lieutenant 
Matoff, and be sure that the wine is not lacking. 
So then, at ten o’clock ! Be prompt !” 

The door was again opened, and the officers 
departed. Alexaska breathed more freely. 
Without delay, he left his hiding-place, hoping 
to escape without difficulty. For a few moments 
he remained still and motionless, then slipped 
out from under the bed, listened cautiously at 
the door to assure himself that the coast was 
clear, and as he heard no noise, he tried to open 
the door. But what a fright! The door was 
locked. 

“ I am imprisoned, and cannot get out I” he 
muttered, trembling from head to foot. “ What 
will become of me ! Wheij they return and find 
me, they will kill me 1” 

He hastened from the door to the window, to 
see if he could not escape there, but the first 


A CONSPIRACY. 


39 


glance quickly assured him that this was an im- 
possibility. The window was grated with iron 
bars, and in vain he strained his feeble power to 
shake them loose. He was, indeed, imprisoned, 
and must submit himself to his fate, good or ill. 
A lucky accident alone could open an escape for 
him. 

At first he hoped that the soldiers in whose 
company he had been, would return to him and 
free him ; but as one quarter of an hour after the 
other vanished, and not a single footstep was 
heard, this hope fled also. 

At length, the twilight deepened, and the 
room became dark. The officers would return 
now at any moment, and Alexaska thought it 
advisable to seek his former hiding-place. He 
again crept under the bed and crouched in the 
farthest corner, where it was safer. Here he lay, 
and waited with a beating heart for that which 
would happen next. 

Finally, after a quarter of an hour, which 
seemed like so many eternities to the boy, a 


40 


PRIDE. 


noise broke his lonely quiet. Steps neared, the 
door was opened, and a bright light streamed into 
the room. Alexaska took a stolen peep from 
under the bed. Ah, the very first one that his 
eyes beheld, was Lieutenant Matofif, his old 
enemy ! A few soldiers followed him, bringing 
tables, chairs, dishes, a supply of cold food, and 
a large quantity of wine bottles, part of which 
they placed on the table, and a greater part on the 
floor, directly before the bed under which the 
trembling Alexaska lay. 

“ Good !” thought he, “ the bottles are in the 
right place. So much the less are they able to 
see me !” 

When everything had been brought in, and 
the tables arranged, the soldiers withdrew. Lieu- 
tenant Matoff alone remained, and walked rest- 
lessly up and down the room. At times he 
came so near to Alexaska that he could have 
reached out his hand and touched him ; but for- 
tunately for the poor boy, it did not occur to his 
enemy to look under the bed. Alexaska kept 


A CONSPIRACY. 


41 


himself as still as a mouse, and almost tried to 
hold his breath, from fear of being discovered by 
his fierce pursuer. 

“ If he sees you, you are lost !” was the one 
thought which he was able to grasp. 

In a short time, more of the company arrived. 
Open and shut went the door, swords clanged 
and resounded on the floor, and various voices 
were mingled. 

“ All are here ; Oberst alone is lacking !” Alex- 
aska heard Lieutenant Matofif say. ^‘It is past 
ten o’clock ! I cannot comprehend where he 
can be !” 

“ Have a little patience ; he will come,” said 
another voice. “ Who knows what might have 
kept him ? His we truly are.” 

Suddenly, after a little time, the door was rudely 
opened, and the awaited one hastily entered. 

“ Pardon me, gentlemen,” he said. “ I met the 
Czar on my way here, and he spoke to me. I 
could not free myself as soon as I wished; but 
now, quickly. Are all here ?” 


4 


42 


PRIDE. 


“ All, Oberst. No one is wanting !” answered 
a voice. 

“ All right ; let us be seated !” spoke Oberst. 
“ Over a bottle of wine we can speak more freely 
of our plan. But let us eat first. A hungry 
stomach is timid, but a filled one gives courage, 
and that is just the thing we need.” 

Alexaska heard the chairs move, dishes clatter, 
knives and forks clash, and glasses clink. The 
poor youth envied the company, for he began to 
be very hungry, as he had not tasted a bite since 
noon. But the longings of his appetite quickly 
disappeared, for the meal had progressed but a 
short time, when Alexaska heard that which 
made him forget everything else. 

“ Now, Lieutenant Matoff,” Oberst suddenly 
began, continuing the conversation where it had 
broken off in the previous meeting. “ Let us 
hear your report. Can we depend upon your 
company?” 

^‘As you can upon me!” came the response. 
“ As soon as I promised the fellows that, if the 


A CONSPIRACY. 43 

plot succeeded, they could have the plunder, 
they were all on our side.” 

“ And how about yours. Captain ?” 

“ Everything is ready, Oberst.” 

“ And yours, gentlemen ?” 

All ready !” 

“ Good ! Who has the watch in the Kreml 
to-morrow morning. Lieutenant Matofif?” 

“One of our associates, Oberst, Captain Sin- 
ionides.” 

“ Ah, the Grecian ! We can rely upon him !” 
said Oberst. “ Why then should we tarry, when 
so fortunate a circumstance favors us ? I pro- 
prose that we proceed to the work to-morrow. 
Are you agreed, gentlemen ?” 

Various voices quickly made known their ap- 
probation, and a few who offered objections were 
quickly ruled down. 

“ Thus it will be performed then, according to 
the plan already concerted,” continued Oberst. 
“ When it strikes ten we will again gather at this 
spot ; you. Lieutenant Matoff, promptly at mid- 


44 


PRIDE. 


night, advance with your company to the Kreml. 
You, gentlemen, at the same hour, occupy pas- 
sages to the various barracks, and let no one in 
or out Here are your written orders. Next, 
it will be necessary to render General Le Fort 
harmless. This is your duty, Matoff. Break 
into his room and knock him down. I, for my 
part, will undertake to seize the Czar and im- 
prision him in a convent As soon as all 
this is accomplished, we will call Sophia, the 
mother of the Czar, as our ruler, and golden 
rewards will fall to us when all is fulfilled. Long 
live Sophia, the Czariha !” 

Then voices shouted the cry, glasses clinked, 
and swords clanked. Alexaska in his covert, 
shivered and trembled. 

“ What !” he thought to himself, they intend 
to murder my benefactor, and imprison the 
Czar ? That must not be ! God in heaven free 
me from my prison that I may warn those in 
danger !” 

The ardent wish of the boy was delayed in 


A CONSPIRACY. 


45 


its fulfillment for some time. The conspirators 
showed no desire to break up, but continued to 
speak more fully of the details of their treason- 
able plan ; and in the meantime, they drank so 
much wine that the banquet degenerated into a 
confused revel. Wild curses were flung out, and 
Alexaska was obliged to hear threats that made 
his hair stand on end. “ Everything must be 
destroyed that dares to offer opposition,’' roared 
the traitors, “ and the Czar himself should not 
be spared if he does not willingly yield.” 

Alexaska, under the bed, crouched into the 
smallest possible space, and broke out in thick 
perspiration from fright. If now, after he had 
overheard all their plans, he should be discovered, 
certain death would be his pitiless fate. The 
traitors, who would not hesitate when the life 
and death of the Czar were concerned, would nat- 
urally not spare a poor boy. 

Fortunately for him, no one thought of the 
possibility of there being a listener in the vicinity, 
nor did any think of looking under the bed. 


PRIDE. 


46 , 

“ It is enough !” Alexaska heard Oberst say. 
“ To-morrow we must have our five senses col- 
lected, and therefore, I think it advisable to part 
now. One glass more to the success of our 
plan, and then good-night!” 

Once more the glasses clinked and the voices 
shouted together. Then the chairs were pushed 
back, and the officers arose from the table, and 
reeling sought the door and withdrew. Only one 
remained behind, and that was just the very one 
whom Alexaska feared most. Lieutenant Matoff. 

“ Go ahead 1” he muttered behind his compan- 
ions when they had all left the room. “ I can 
sleep here just as well as in my own quarters! 
Why should I walk that long distance ?” 

He extinguished the taper; staggering, he 
stumbled over a pair of empty wine flasks, and 
sank heavily upon the bed in the corner of the 
room. The oaken posts creaked under the 
weight, and for a moment Alexaska feared that 
the whole bed would break down. But his anx- 
iety was groundless, and after the lapse of a few 


A CONSPIRACY. 


47 


minutes the loud snoring of Lieutenant Matoff 
announced that he was fast asleep. Alexaska 
breathed freely — and drew easier breaths from 
his very heart. 

“ God be thanked !” said he to himself. “ The 
door is not locked, my enemy lies unconscious, 
and the sentries are relieved. Now is the time 
to escape — now or never !” 

Nevertheless he delayed a little longer, listen- 
ing to the loud breathing of the much-feared 
officer, in order to be sure that no little, involun- 
tary, unavoidable noise might wake him. But 
he became more assured, for Matoff slept as 
deeply as one dead. Alexaska now crept cau- 
tiously from under the bed, and on hands and 
knees crawled to the door. 

Once he knocked against a chair, then stum- 
bled over an empty dish, then a wine-bottle, and 
tremblingly paused each time to listen ; but Ma- 
toff snored on uninterruptedly, without intermis- 
sion. At last Alexaska reached the door; slowly 
raising himself, he quietly sought the door-knob, 


48 


PRIDE. 


and — God be praised ! — he found it, even as he 
had hoped, unlocked. Cautiously he opened the 
door, slipped out into the corridor, turned the 
key in the lock, and then, as though being pur- 
sued by wicked spirits, he flew down the well- 
known paths of the barracks to the nearest exit, 
and in the darkness, slipped unnoticed by the 
sentinel ; and without being stopped or accosted, 
arrived safely at the nearest street. 

At last he was free, and a rapturous joy and 
happiness swelled in his breast. He almost 
shouted aloud for joy. It seemed as though he 
had been rescued out of a hell of fierce animals, 
which had threatened his life with teeth and 
claws. In the middle of the street, he sank 
down upon his knees, and raising his hands to 
heaven, thanked the merciful Father above for 
his deliverance. 

But after the first tumult of joy, his presence 
of mind and caution returned, and the question 
occurred to him, what it was necessary for him 
to do to overthrow the treacherous plot of the 


A CONSPIRACY. 


49 


conspirators? His first impulse was to seek 
General Le Fort, and relate to him all that he 
had heard. But now, in the middle of the night, 
nothing could be effected, and he felt compelled 
to await the break of day. 

What could he do in the meantime ? 

He dared not return to his master, for he 
feared a severe punishment for remaining out ; 
and to remain upon the street until daylight was 
dangerous, for he might fall into the hands of 
the patrol and be imprisoned. After a short de- 
liberation, he concluded to seek a shelter under 
some booth in the vicinity of the Kreml, and 
there await the proper time for further action. 
He soon found a booth, climbed into it, and 
stretched himself out on the bare earth. It was 
a hard couch, but that did not trouble Alexaska. 
He was tired almost to death, from suffering such 
anxiety and distress; and notwithstanding the 
uncomfortable position in which he was placed, 
soon sank into a deep sleep, until the noise of 
the renewed life about the place awakened him. 
D 


5 


50 


PRIDE. 


He opened his eyes, and looked about him be- 
yond the booth. The night had given place to 
the breaking dawn, but it was still entirely too 
early to seek admittance into the Kreml. But 
that would not make much difference. Alexaska 
could wait, and, in the meantime, wander about 
the streets until it would be the right time. In 
day he need have no fear of the patrol. 

Without difficulty he climbed out of the 
booth, and began to walk up and down in the 
neighboring streets, casting despairing and long- 
ing looks at the show-windows of the bakeries, 
where the wholesome bread, just from the oven, 
smoked and sent out a tempting odor. The 
poor youth was very hungry; but his pocket 
was empty, and he must quiet the cries of his 
appetite as he passed by the heaped-up loaves of 
bread. 

“ It makes no difference !” he thought, and 
tightened the belt about his waist. “ The Gen- 
eral will give me a breakfast when I bring him 
such weighty news; and he must also speak a 


A CONSPIRACY. 


51 


good word for me to my master, so that he will 
not whip me so severely and lock me up. If it 
were only time now, that I might go to him ! ” 

Nevertheless, however* impatient Alexaska 
might be on that account, the time did not go a 
moment faster ; but still it passed, and at last he 
thought he would venture to seek admittance . 
into the Kreml. Boldly he drew near to the en- 
trance, and rejoiced as he recognized his old 
friend Jermoloff on guard. 

“ Hallo, Alexaska,” cried Jermoloff. “ Which 
way so early ? And without pastry ? — I must say 
this is very strange !” 

“ The pastry will come later,” responded the 
boy. “ At present I have other business !” 

“ What business ?” laughed Jermoloff. “ What 
do you know about business, you little manikin !” 

“Ah, but you know, Jermoloff,” answered 
Alexaska, boldly. “ General Le Fort has ordered 
me to come to him ; he expects me, so do not 
detain me.” 

“Ah! the General. Yes, yes; I remember,” 


52 


PRIDE. 


said Jermoloff. “ Very well ; hasten to him, and 
afterward tell me all that he says to you.” 

Alexaska moved on, and walked boldly into 
the wing of the building where General Le Fort 
had taken him with him one day. A servant, 
still half-asleep, walked toward him, met him on 
the steps, and rudely cried : 

“ Where are you going ?” 

‘‘To the General !” 

“ He is still asleep !” 

“ Very well ; then wake him !” said Alexaska. 
“ I have something important to tell him.” 

The servant laughed. “ Dunce !” he replied, 
scornfully. “ Wake the General ! On your ac- 
count ! You are foolish !” 

“ Very well, then ; at least let me wait here 
until he is awake,” begged Alexaska. “ It will 
certainly do you no harm. The General expects 
me !” 

“ You lie, boy,” responded the lackey, rudely. 
“ If it were true, the General would have in- 
formed me. You have only slipped in here to 


A CONSPIRACY. 53 

steal, and you shall be turned out in the speed- 
iest manner possible.” 

With these words he seized Alexaska by the 
collar, trying to throw him down the steps. But 
the boy resisted him, grasping him from his side 
just as strongly, and a tolerably severe fight was 
about to be waged, in which, without doubt, 
Alexaska would have been worsted, when the 
noise of the stamping and groaning of both the 
combatants drew a third person to the scene. 

“ Hey dey, what is the matter here ?” suddenly 
asked a powerful, commanding voice. 

The lackey and Alexaska both looked up, and 
immediately changing their attitude, fell down 
upon their knees. The Czar himself stood before 
them. 

“What is the matter?” continued the Czar. 
“ Are you not the baker-boy, who furnishes my 
soldiers with supplies?” 

“ Yes, your majesty!” 

“And you,” said the Czar, turning to the 
lackey, “ what is your business with this boy ? ” 
5 * 


54 


PRIDE. 


Have mercy, your majesty," replied the ser- 
vant, “ the youth wanted to speak to General 
Le Fort, and I was tiying to prevent him. I 
was afraid he intended to steal, and so tried to 
throw him down the steps." 

“ But that is untrue, your majesty," said the 
boy, defending himself, whilst his cheeks burned 
with indignation. “ I am an honest boy, and 
only wished to see the General to communicate 
to him some very important information." 

“ Oho," said the Czar smiling, “ has your 
master invented some new variety of pastry, 
which is too good for soldiers, and only fit for 
Generals ?" 

“ No, no, your majesty," replied Alexaska, 
with a show of anger. “ It is indeed a very im- 
portant matter, and I can impart it to no one but 
the General himself" 

“ Not even to me ?" questioned the Czar. 

The boy drew back in fear and awe. “ O, 
your majesty," he stammered, “ I, a poor boy — 
how would I dare to raise my eyes to behold 


A CONSPIRACY. 


55 


my most gracious lord ? Such boldness has not 
occurred to me, even in dreams, your majesty !” 

“ Very well, but I command you to tell me 
that which you wished to impart to the General,” 
said the Czar. “ Follow me !” 

Humbly Alexaska walked behind the power- 
ful lord. The Czar entered his room, locked the 
door behind him and gazed upon Alexaska with 
sharp, piercing eyes. 

“ Now speak !” he commanded. “ But be 
brief! What is it?” 

“ I wanted to inform the General,” said Alex- 
aska, “ that a conspiracy is being formed against 
your majesty, and that already, this very night, 
your majesty is to be captured and imprisoned, 
and General Le Fort to be killed. That is all.” 

“ Holy Ivan,” exclaimed the Czar, his eyes 
glittering and becoming even more penetrating. 
“ Do you lie, boy ? Tremble, if you dare try to 
deceive the Czar 1” 

“Your majesty, here is my head — it is all that 
I have, but it belongs to the Czar, my ruler !” 


56 


PRIDE. 


said Alexaska humbly, but with open, fearless 
looks. “ Let my head be taken, if I speak one 
false word !” 

“ Indeed, I believe I can trust you !” continued 
the Czar, after he had tested Alexaska by an- 
other glance, so penetrating that it seemed to 
pierce the very heart of the boy. “ Now tell me 
fully, how you attained to the knowledge of this 
secret.” 

Alexaska obeyed. With simple, clear words 
he narrated the events of his adventure, and how 
he had purposed to warn the General. The 
great Czar listened to him silently, without inter- 
rupting him a single time, only betraying his 
deep interest in the tale of the boy by a slight 
knitting of his brow. 

“ Can you swear that all this, which you have 
related, is true ?” he then asked. 

“Yes, your majesty,” replied Alexaska, “ I can 
swear to it !” 

The Czar sank into the silence of deep thought, 
walked up and down the room a few times, and 
then, suddenly stopped before Alexaska. 


A CONSPIRACY. 


57 


“ I believe you,” he said. “ Am I the first and 
only one to whom you have revealed this 
secret ? ” 

“ The first and only one, your majesty!” 

“ That is well! You appear to be a good and 
clever boy. Do you believe you can again find 
the room of the conspirators ?” 

“ Yes, your majesty, by day and by night !” 

“Good! You will in the meantime remain 
here, as I may need you. Go here, in this 
little ante -room, and — for fear of your life — do 
not reveal, either by word, or glance, or by any 
sign, to any living being what you have imparted 
to me. Do not let yourself be seen at the win- 
dow ! Keep yourself still and quiet ! We will 
seel If your news is confirmed, I will be 
gracious to you ! If not, you shall suffer. Go !” 

Alexaska obeyed. However, at the entrance to 
the ante-room, he stood still, hesitating, and look- 
ing at the Czar piteously. The Czar noticed it. 

“ What is it, now ?” he asked. 

“ Pardon, your majesty,” said Alexaska softly, 


58 


PRIDE. 


“ but I am so very hungry ! I have eaten noth- 
ing since yesterday morning. If I had only a 
little piece of bread !” 

The Czar laughed. “ Poor youth !” said he. 
“Yes, truly, hunger is painful! You indeed at- 
tended a feast, but you received nothing of it. 
But go I You shall have a piece of bread, and 
something else with it. You shall not starve 
when you are with me ; I need you yet.” 

Alexaska, rejoicing, slipped into the ante- 
room, and rubbed his hands together quite 
happy. 

“ Now I shall breakfast with the Czar 1” he 
murmured, delighted. “ If only my master 
knew this ! He would indeed be surprised.” 

A few minutes later, a side-door opened, and 
a servant of the palace entered, bearing a large 
tray, on which various good things could be 
seen. In silence, and without even bestowing a 
glance upon Alexaska, he covered a small table, 
placed meat and drink upon it, and withdrew as 
silently as he had entered, Alexaska, remem- 


A CONSPIRACY. 


59 


bering the orders of the Czar, refrained from 
speaking; but the servant had scarcely with- 
drawn, when he comfortably seated himself at 
the table and set to work eating vigorously from 
the various tempting dishes, in such a manner as 
can only be done by a boy who has enjoyed noth- 
ing for twenty-four hours. Finally, when he could 
eat no more, he pushed back the dishes and the 
table, and drawing a deep breath, said : 

“Thanks be to God and the Czar! That 
tasted very good I” 

“ Yes, yes ; so I have observed,” said the 
pleasing voice of the Czar, who stood at the en- 
trance. “You have complimented my coot. 
But it is well — one who possesses such an appe- 
title, in such a position as you are now placed, 
must indeed have a good conscience. Keep very 
quiet; sleep and dream; do as you wish, but do 
not let yourself be seen at the window. You 
shall hear from me later !” 

The Czar disappeared, and Alexaska remained 
alone in the ante-room. He looked about him. 


6o 


PRIDE. 


and perceived a book-case standing against the 
wall. Read, it is true, he could not, the poor 
fellow — for how could he, in his sad condition, 
learn this ? — but he had heard about books, and 
especially about picture-books ; and so, full of 
curiosity, he advanced to the case and took out 
one volume after the other. Some had pictures, 
others none. The former he placed upon a table 
which stood before a sofa, placed himself com- 
fortably upon the easy couch, and began to ex- 
amine the pictures to pass the time away. But 
he was soon overcome with fatigue. He had in- 
de*ed slept but a few hours during the previous 
night, and that too upon the hard earth ; so it 
was no wonder that, after he had eaten a good 
meal, his eyes involuntarily closed. 

He slept so soundly that he did not even no- 
tice the servant enter and carry away the empty 
dishes. Neither did he hear when the Czar en- 
tered with one of his followers and spoke with 
satisfaction : “ He sleeps — the sleep of the inno- 
cent! See, Le Fort!” He knew nothing, saw 


A CONSPIRACY. 


6i 


nothing, heard nothing. Slumber held him so 
tightly in her arms, that the conspiracy and 
everything had been forgotten. 

Finally, when the sun neared its setting, and 
the oblique rays stole through the window of 
the ante-room and fell upon the face of the boy, 
Alexaska awaked, sprang up, rubbed his eyes in 
amazement, as he perceived the strange and 
beautiful surroundings. 

“Ah, yes ; I remember !” he cried. “ I am at 
the Czar’s ! I have indeed slept well, I am sure. 
Now if I only knew what the Czar still wants of 
me !” 

But it proved too difficult a thing for him to 
conjecture, and after he had pondered over it for 
some time all in vain, he sat down again before 
the books, and continued to examine them as he 
had done in the morning until it was dark. The 
clear chime of a table-clock announced the ninth, 
the tenth hour — and no one came, no one in- 
quired concerning Alexaska, no one troubled 
himself about him. Then, at the last chime of 
6 


62 


PRIDE. 


the tenth hour, the door again opened, and at the 
entrance appeared the stately figure of the Czar 
in his courtly uniform, the glittering star upon 
his breast, and the golden sabre at his side. 

“Alexaska!” he exclaimed. 

“ Here, my gracious lord !” answered the boy 
promptly ; and blinded by the noble appearance 
of the mighty prince, he threw himself down at 
his feet. 

“Stand up, stand up, boy!” commanded the 
Czar shortly. “ Do you know this man ?” 

Alexaska looked up. “ His Excellency, Gen- 
eral Le Fort 1” said he. 

“ Right I” nodded the General. “ I am in- 
debted to you, but I think that now we will soon 
make it even.” 

“ Yes, yes, there will be a worthy compensa- 
tion, if all is true which this youth has related,” 
continued the Czar. “ But concerning this, later. 
We will see first. Alexaska, you must act as 
our guide. Lead us to the apartment where the 
conspirators must be gathered at this hour, if 


A CONSPIRACY. 63 

you have spoken the truth. Do you know the 
way ?” 

“ Very well, your majesty.” 

‘‘ And you will safely guide us ?” 

“Yes, even though it cost me my life.” 

“Very well, forward! We will invite our- 
selves to the assembly of the gentlemen, although 
possibly, we may be unwelcome guests 1” 

The Czar, after he had enveloped himself in a 
large mantle, completely disguising his figure, 
with General Le Fort and Alexaska, left the 
room, and by a private passage reached the 
street beyond the court-yard of the Kreml. A 
small division of well-armed soldiers were wait- 
ing here in the. deep shadow of the houses. At 
a word from the Czar, uttered in an undertone, 
they moved onward, following him at a short 
distance. Alexaska proceeded with a firm step 
a little in advance of the Czar, until he reached 
the barracks. Not a word had be^n interchanged 
on the way. The boy now whispered to the 
Czar : 


64 


PRIDE. 


“ Here it is, and the sentry stands there at the 
entrance.” 

The Czar immediately stepped forward toward 
the sentinel. 

“ Will not your majesty wait until your faithful 
guards arrive ?” said General Le Fort, gently. 

“ No,” answered the Czar in a subdued tone. 
“ They will arrive in good time, and moreover, I 
hope to settle the affair with the conspirators 
without their assistance.” 

By this time they had reached the sentry. 

“ Halt !” he cried, and presented his gun. 
“ No one dare pass here !” 

“ Silence, or you die,” whispered the Czar to 
him in a low voice, but with such a commanding 
manner that the soldier, wholly frightened, 
dropped his weapon. I am the Czar ! Do 
you not recognize me ?” 

The soldier fell on his knees, as if struck by 
lightning, and his musket fell from his hand. 

“ The Czar !” he stammered. “ God be merci- 
ful to us !” 


A CONSPIRACY. 65 

“ Be quiet, and you shall be pardoned,” said 
the Czar. “ Are they all assembled ?” 

^‘All, your majesty. Oberst Lipinski was the 
last!” 

“ Ha, Lipinski I But two weeks ago I pro- 
moted him 1 But ingratitude is the reward of 
the world 1 What concerns you now, is not to 
stir from this spot, and to let no one pass except 
by my command I” 

“ I will obey,” said the man, trembling. 

“ Very well, take your gun again ! But woe 
to you if you disobey 1 General Le Fort, for- 
ward. Advance, boy I” 

Fearlessly Alexaska advanced, went up the 
steps, through the corridor, and to the door be- 
hind which the conspirators were assembled. 
Cries, noise, and the clinking of glass reached 
him. A guard stood ten feet from the door, and 
presented his arms as the soldier at the entrance 
had done. The corridor was but dimly lighted 
with a lamp, but they distinctly saw him cock 
his gun. 

6 * 


E 


66 


PRIDE. 


** Lower your weapon !” commanded the Czar. 

Do you not see that it is If* 

Involuntarily, and wholly confounded, this sol- 
dier also obeyed, and General Le Fort relieved 
him of his arms, to which proceeding he dared 
offer no opposition. A beam of light fell upon the 
countenance of the Czar, and, growing pale as 
death, the soldier threw himself at his feet. 

“ Now, do you not see, 0 foolish man, that a 
true soldier will not aim at me,” said the Czar, 
calmly and gently. “ Give him his gun again, 
Le Fort. The man is faithful.” 

“ Faithful unto death, your majesty !” stam- 
mered the soldier. “ Mercy, mercy, master !” 

You are pardoned !” said the Czar. “ But be 
careful, look sharp ! No one must be allowed to 
leave this room ! Whoever attempts it, shoot 
him on the spot !” 

“As you command, master!” said the sentinel, 
and with lowered gun he turned toward the 
door. 

“ Open it a little I” said the Czar to Alexaska. 


A CONSPIRACY. 


67 


The boy obeyed, and the door was opened, 
leaving a crack about a hand-breadth, through 
which the whole company could be clearly seen. 
The Czar took a glance. His eyes flamed. - 
Ha! I know them all, the traitors I” he mut- 
tered. “ But, quiet I Let us listen I” 

No one within the room appeared to notice 
the opening of the door. The whole company 
of officers were evidently already much heated 
with the amount of wine which they had enjoyed, 
and were screaming and brawling and raving in 
great confusion. The conspirators were boasting 
beforehand of the deed which would be com- 
pleted that night, and were lifting themselves 
with hopes which would never be realized, for 
their measure would soon be filled to the brim. 

I am curious to see how that miserable for- 
eigner, that vagabond rascal Le Fort, will open 
his eyes when I place my dagger at his breast !” 
cried Lieutenant Matoff “ I see him already ; 
how he will become pale, and humbly crawl to 
the cross!” 


68 


PRIDE. 


“And the Czar, the undaunted Peter!” broke 
in Oberst Lipinski, with a scornful laugh. “ I 
think I will see him tremble for once at last I” 

“ Then, and never will you see that, you ras- 
cal !” suddenly cried the Czar, as he threw the 
door wide open, entered the room, threw the 
mantle from his shoulders, and stood erect, 
proudly, and with blazing eyes confronted the 
conspirators. 

A cry of terror and fear sounded throughout 
the apartment, followed by a deathly silence, as 
the conspirators stared at each other with wild, 
frightened glances. 

“We are lost!” muttered a few voices with 
trembling lips. 

“ Miserable cowards !” said the Czar. “ Down 
with your arms ! Down upon your knees and 
beg for mercy !” 

Ten swords clanked upon the floor — ten heads 
bowed themselves deep in the dust. One alone 
remained erect : Oberst Lipinski. 

“ Now if we have been lost once,” he cried. 


A CONSPIRACY. 69 

** then take this !” At the same instant he seized 
a pistol from his belt, and aimed at the' Czar. 
But before he was able to fire, Alexaska sprang 
upon him like a tiger — the shot cracked, but the 
ball rebounded and Oberst sank to the floor. 

“You have done nobly, my boy!” said the 
Czar kindly to Alexaska. “ Heigh there, seize 
the traitor and bind him I” 

The conspirators sprang up obediently, and fas- 
tened on their ringleader, the chains which they 
had in readiness for an altogether different pris- 
oner. At the same moment, the measured tread 
of the advancing faithful body-guard of the 
Czar resounded in the corridor, and he turned 
disdainfully away from the traitors. 

“ Our work is done 1” he said quietly to Gen- 
eral Le Fort. “Soldiers, imprison the rascals! 
To-morrow we will consider their fate. Come, 
Le Fort ! And you too, Alexaska ! Henceforth, 
you shall never leave me !” 

Indifferently, and as though nothing had hap- 
pened, as though his life had not been in 


70 


PRIDE. 


imminent danger, the Czar turned away from the 
downfallen conspirators, and Alexaska followed 
him, his heart filled with wonder and rapture. 

He should never leave the Czar again. 

What sparkling, dazzling pictures arose in his 
mind ! A thought of the old peasant Iwan 
flashed into his memory. Could the old man 
have prophesied the truth ? Could he in truth 
see into the future, as a prophet ? 

“ God is great and the Czar is powerful,” mur- 
mured Alexaska. “ One must hope and wait !” 


CHAPTER III. 


A FRIEND. 

W HEN they had returned to the Kreml, the 
Czar assigned the happy Alexaska to the 
care of General Le Fort. 

Take care of him,” he said. To-morrow 
his fate and that of the traitors will be decided.” 

The General took Alexaska with him to his 
own apartments and directed him to a soft bed 
in an adjoining room, where he lulled himself 
with the most wonderful dreams until the voice 
of the General awakened him the next morning. 

“ Up, up, Alexaska ! ” he called. “ Up, lazy 
one ! The Czar desires to see us !” 

The name of the Czar acted as though it were 
a magic word. Quickly aroused, Alexaska 
sprang from his bed, and within a few minutes 
was ready to follow the General. He found the 
latter awaiting him, dressed in full uniform. 

(70 


72 


PRIDE. 


“ Quickly, quickly, boy,” he said to Alexaska. 
“ The Czar likes punctuality, and we have but a 
few minutes left.” 

“ I am ready, your excellency !” responded 
Alexaska. 

“ But will you not breakfast hastily first?” 

“ Duty and obedience before everything. Gen- 
eral ! Breakfast can wait, but the Czar cannot.” 

“ Ah, good my son !” said the General approv- 
ingly. “With such a disposition you will 
speedily advance, if fortune but favors you a 
little. Follow me, then !” 

By various passages and corridors they re- 
paired to the apartments of the Czar Peter, who 
not long after this received the noble title “ The 
Great,” was already awaiting them, surrounded 
by a few generals and the most distinguished 
nobles of his court. He bowed graciously to the 
new arrivals, and gave the command for the 
prisoners to be brought forward. The folding 
doors opened and the prisoners, in chains and 
fetters, were brought in. All were pale as death. 


A FRIEND. 


73 


and none dared to raise his eyes to the offended 
ruler. The Czar looked upon them with a stern 
glance and a darkened brow. 

“Traitors!” he addressed them. “ Is this your 
gratitude for past favors for which you are in- 
debted to me ? Is there one among you to 
whom I have been other than a kind ruler? 
You, Oberst Michaelow, did I not promote you 
but a few weeks ago, and do you reward me for 
that by laying hands upon the sacred head of the 
Czar ? All of you, speak I To whom have I 
ever done anything evil ?” 

The criminals, in deep shame, gazed upon the 
earth, and none had the courage to lift his voice. 

“ You are silent 1 Every one !” continued the 
Czar. “No one has a word of defense. Your 
silence is the confession of your guilt ! My 
loyal followers, pronounce the judgment! What 
penalty do these conspirators deserve, who have 
even sought the life of the Czar ?” 

“ Death !” answered the assembly with one 
voice, and the prisoners sank upon their knees. 


7 


74 


PRIDE. 


“Mercy! mercy!” cried they piteously, with 
outstretched hands. 

The Czar cast a scornful glance upon them. 

“ You have heard it !” he said. Death by the 
executioner — so sounds the verdict. But your 
misery moves me to pity, and so I will give you 
your life. But I banish you from my presence ! 
Away with you to Siberia ! There you will have 
time and leisure to reflect upon your crime and 
to repent it ! Lead them away !” 

The prisoners were led away, and the Czar 
turned toward the gathered nobles, on whose 
faces amazement and perplexity were depicted. 
The whole scene was a riddle to them as yet, for 
they had been summoned to appear before the 
Czar, without any reasons having been imparted. 
Now, for the first time the/ heard from the Czar 
himself, what danger had hovered over his head, 
and praised the providence by whose protecting 
hand the evil had been averted, and the plan of 
the conspirators frustrated at the last moment. 
Calmly the Czar received all their congratula- 
tions. 


A FRIEND. 75 

“ It is well !” he said. “ God is ever with the 
Czar and against the traitor ! Woe to that un- 
happy one, who dares to reach out his hand to- 
ward the sacred crown! You have seen what 
penalty awaits him : a living death in the icy 
desert of the remote Siberia I” 

After these words the Czar dismissed the as- 
sembly, signifying to General Le Fort and Alex- 
aska to remain behind. The boy stood there 
deeply moved, pale and trembling. The thought 
of Siberia filled him with a fearful horror. Smil- 
ing, the Czar approached him. 

“Now, boy,” he said in a friendly manner, 
“we will settle our accounts with each other. 
But what is this ? You are trembling ? What 
do you fear ?” 

“ O, your majesty,”- stammered Alexaska, “ I 
have heard of Siberia I It must be a terrible 
country, and a fearful abode T* 

“ It has no terror for the true and honorable,” 
responded the Czar, “ only the godless must fear 
it. Remember that, boy, and be ever mindful of 


76 


PRIDE. 


this hour. Every man is the carver of his own 
fate. You have seen that in the fate of the 
traitors; you will live it in your own destiny. 
You have acted wisely and faithfully, and shall 
now reap the fruit. I will receive you among 
the number of my pages. Hereafter you will 
always be near me, and it rests with yourself to 
retain the favor of the Czar. Never forget this : 
As you sow, you shall reap! If you are a good 
and faithful servant, you will always find me a 
kind ruler. But the faithless and the traitor 
will my anger cast into the dust! You have 
seen it. Now go 1 Le Fort, see that my orders 
are fulfilled, and that the boy is clothed properly 
and instructed as to his duties. I wish to have 
him for my personal service ! ” 

Alexaska cast himself to the ground and 
kissed the hem of the Czar’s garment. I will 
ever be a faithful and grateful servant 1 ” he said, 
deeply moved, and looked at the Czar with his 
clear, honest eyes, earnestly and fervently. 

“ I believe you, my son 1 ” responded the noble 


A FRIEND. 


77 


ruler gently. “ My eyes penetrate your heart, 
and see no falsity there. Keep yourself so, and 
the hand of the Czar will elevate you although 
you have sprung from the dust. Now go ! ” 

General Le Fort raised the boy and led him 
away. Alexaska walked by his side as though 
in a dream. The fortune, to be a page to the 
Czar, to be allowed to remain near him, over- 
powered him, and not until he had relieved the 
great joy of his heart by a violent flood of tears, 
after he had reached the General’s apartments, 
did his composure return. 

Moreover, General Le Fort knew well how to 
calm and divert him, in that he allowed the Mas- 
ter of the Pages to come, and imparted to him the 
commands of the Czar. Immediately the cloth- 
ing of a page, with all its appurtenances, was 
brought ; and after Alexaska had taken a bath, 
and had passed through the hands of the barber, 
the tailor, the valet, and was changed from head 
to foot into a neat, pretty page. General Le Fort 
had the pleasure to lead him before a mirror, 
7 * 


78 


PRIDE. 


where he could behold his whole figure at one 
glance. When Alexaska first beheld himself in 
the mirror, he was wholly perplexed, drew back 
astonished and frightened, but then broke out 
into a loud happy jubilee. 

“ At first I hardly knew myself again,” he said 
with a smiling face, to the General. “ I could 
scarcely believe that that elegant lad there in 
the mirrior could be the former poor baker boy, 
Alexaska; but now I see clearly that it really is 
I ! Ah, if I could only display myself in this 
glory and splendor to my master, Korsakoff! 
But he would open his eyes 1 They would be as 
big as a plate.” 

‘Wery well, go to him and show yourself,” 
replied General Le Fort, laughing. “ At any 
rate, the man must be informed how you have 
prospered. You can explain it to him: I will 
give you permission to be absent an hour.” 

Joyfully Alexaska hastened away, and beam- 
ing with delight he returned again promptly in 
an hour. The master and the mistress had seen 


A FRIEND. 


79 


him, admired him, and wished him good luck ; 
also the neighbors had gathered and had gazed 
at him, and the guards in the Kreml had even 
lowered their guns to him — to him, the poor 
Alexaska, whom they had so often teased and 
tormented — the baker boy whom every one a 
few hours before could have tormented by pulling 
his ears or his nose! It was no wonder that 
Alexaska was almost crazy with joy 1 The Czar 
had lifted him up, had made him somethings had 
placed him upon the first round of the ladder 
upon which he could climb to greater honor and 
distinction. 

But remember, my son,” said the General to 
him, “ it is indeed, but the first and the lowest 
step which you have taken, and it depends on 
you alone, whether you will rise higher or sink 
back into your former nothingness. The Czar 
has spoken wisely when he says. As you sow, you 
shall reap / Be careful, then, that you make no 
mistake in the ascension. Obedience, faithful- 
ness, diligence and devotion, are the steps of the 


8o 


PRIDE. 


ladder which leads on high. If you deviate 
from these, an irretrievable fall into the abyss is 
unavoidable. So then, guard yourself!” 

Alexaska paid attention to this instruction, and 
vowed never to forget it. With great zeal he 
instructed himself in the duties which fell to him 
as the page of the Czar, and soon acquired an 
activity well pleasing to the Czar. Alexaska 
stood in great favor, and his comrades envied him, 
because even when there were no duties to per- 
form he was allowed to be near the Czar contin- 
ually. Even in the deliberations concerning the 
state the Czar often admitted him, and in weighty 
affairs asked his opinion ; and when Alexaska, as 
it sometimes happened, gave a wise answer, he 
praised him. 

As for the boy himself, this knowledge of the 
transactions of state affairs was a good school. 
With intense diligence he followed the reports 
and counsels of the minister, and by this means, 
aided by an excellent mind and a sound judg- 
ment, he acquired an amount of knowledge in 


A FRIEND. 


8l 


political matters which one would scarcely deem 
possible in so young a head. He used his leisure 
hours for a greater improvement of his mind, 
and General Le Fort encouraged him in these 
efforts, providing him with books which Alex- 
aska, or rather Alexei, as he had been named 
when advanced to the order of a page, studied 
diligently. Many a night, when he was obliged 
to watch in the ante-room of the Czar, ready to 
obey his command, he brought his books with 
him, and paid little attention to the scoffs and 
laughter of his comrades about his much learn- 
ing. He remained steadfast, when a wholly 
unexpected circumstance occurred which rejoiced 
him greatly, and forever silenced the mockers. 

One evening he was seated as usual by the 
light at the table, in the ante-room of the Czar, 
and earnestly trying to solve a lesson in mathe- 
matics, which required the utmost penetration. 
Midnight was already long past, but no sleep 
came to his eyes, although his three comrades, 
who shared his watch with him, were carelessly 
F 


82 


PRIDE. 


stretched out on a large, easy sofa, and wrapped 
in a deep sleep, snoring as though for a wager. 
As the time for the relief of the watch approached, 
unexpectedly the door of the Czar’s apartments 
opened, and the Czar himself, in night apparel, 
stepped out and glanced around the ante-room. 
His brow contracted when he found the three 
pages fast asleep, whilst upon Alexei, who had 
quickly sprung up and stood before him in 
respectful attitude, his glance rested with friend- 
liness and kindness. 

“A fine watch this, by holy Iwan !” he ‘said. 

Up, you lazy sleepers ! Is this the way you 
fulfill your duties ?” 

The sleepers staggered to their feet in fright, 
and threw themselves at the feet of the Czar. 

“You shall be put under arrest for three 
days ! ” he responded with severity to their peti- 
tions for mercy. “ But you, Alexei, you deserve 
a reward. What are you doing there ?” 

“Only some mathematics, your majesty!” re- 
plied the boy. 


A FRIEND. 


83 


** Ah, what do you say ! Let me see ! ” said 
the Czar, and advanced to the table, where he 
found a book and a copy-book covered with 
figures. “ Ah, this pleases me ! ” he continued 
kindly. “ How far are you ?” 

Alexei showed the Czar the problem, at the 
same time honestly confessing that, notwithstand- 
ing all his efforts, he had not been able to solve it. 

“ O, that is not very easy,” said the Czar. 

But I will help you, and perhaps both of us 
may accomplish what is too difficult for you 
alone. Let us see !” 

Alexei handed him the copy-book, and with a 
sharp glance the Czar examined his lines, tri- 
angles and circles. 

“ Found !” cried he, after a few moments. 
“ Here lies your mistake, Alexei ! See, here 
it is ! ” 

Alexei looked, quickly remedied the mistake, 
and the problem was solved immediately. 

“ My most humble thanks, your majesty I ” 
said Alexei, delighted. “I overlooked that! 


84 


PRIDE. 


But truly nothing escapes the glance of my 
gracious lord !” 

“Truly; and even not your industry and 
zeal!” responded the Czar graciously. “You 
have long wished for a watch, Alexei, I know it. 
Go in my room and take mine from the toilet 
table — I give it to you! But you,” turning 
with a frown to the other pages — “ be ashamed 
of yourselves before Alexei, who is worth a 
hundred times as much as all of you ! I am 
well aware that you mock him and make sport 
of his industry, but I hope this will cease in the 
future. I tell you, you will all bow your heads 
before this boy, however elevated above him you 
now consider yourselves.” 

The trembling pages received the censure of 
their master with humble contrition, whilst 
Alexei, full of joy, examined the beautiful gold 
watch set with precious gems, which he had 
brought from the chamber at the command of 
the Czar. 

“ Henceforth employ well the hours which it 


A FRIEND. 


85 


shows you,” said the Czar to him kindly. “ I 
am satisfied with you, and I hope I can always 
be so !” 

With these words he withdrew to his apart- 
ments. Soon after came the relief guard. Four 
other pages took their places, and Alexei, intoxi- 
cated with joy, sought his couch, while his 
undutiful comrades, sad and humble, must put 
themselves in arrest. But from that hour the 
teasing ceased, and Alexei no longer suffered 
from the jests of the other pages. 

A few years passed peacefully in a similar 
manner, and Alexei, now grown to be a hearty 
youth, still attended to the duties of a page to 
the Czar, whose favor was still unchanged toward 
him. It happened, one day when he had a com- 
mission to fulfil for the Czar in the city, that at 
the door of the Kreml he met a poorly clad 
youth, who stared at him with a longing, suppli- 
cating look, but did not dare to speak. Alexei 
had a good heart. The glance of the youth 
moved him ; he still remembered the time when 
8 


86 


PRIDE. 


he himself had wandered about the world, poor 
and forsaken ; so he quickly walked up to the 
stranger. 

“ Do you wish anything from me, my friend ? ” 
he asked. 

“ Yes, yes, if you will do me the favor to 
listen,” replied the poor youth with joy. “ Hour 
after hour, for three days, I have stood here at 
the door of the Kreml, not daring to enter, and 
unnoticed by any one; and still I am so anxious 
to present the wish which lies like a burden on 
my heart.” 

“ What is your wish ?” asked Alexei. Do 
you wish to speak to the Czar?” 

“ O no, my wishes do not mount so high,” 
answered the stranger humbly. “ Only a page 
of our gracious lord.” 

“ What is his name ?” 

“Alexander Menzikoff. Do you know him, 
sir ?” 

“ Do I know him !” replied Alexei, not a little 
surprised. “ I myself am he !” 


A FRIEND. 


87 


“ Heaven be praised, whose favor has led you 
to me!” cried the boy with joy. “O sir, how I 
have longed for the sight of you !” 

“ But who are you ? I do not know you ; I 
have never seen you.” 

“I am called Paul Iwanowitz,” answered the 

\ 

stranger. “ Look at this cross. My poor old 
father delivered it to me, with the directions to 
show it to you, and then trust to your kindness.” 

Alexei took the cross and examined it. It 
was small, but gold, and inlaid with four green 
stones. The remembrance suddenly flashed into 
his mind. 

“Ah, now I know!” he exclaimed. “You are 
the son of old Iwan, who prophesied such won- 
derful things to me. Be welcome, Paul Iwano- 
witz ! Can I do anything for you ?” 

“ Everything, sir, to rescue me from the deepest 
despair, and my father from the darkest misery !” 
responded Paul. “ It is a sad tale which I must 
relate to you, if you will deign to listen to me.” 

“ Yes, most certainly I will listen, and will 


88 


PRIDE. 


gladly do for you all that lies in my power/' 
replied Alexei, kindly. “ But I am in the service 
of the Czar, and dare not neglect my duties. 
Accompany me, and on the way relate to me ^ 
what I ought to know.” 

Paul Iwanowitz went with Alexei, and poured 
out his heart to him. 

“ My poor old father owned a little cottage, 
with its garden and a small portion of land, in 
his native village,” he began. “We were always 
poor, and although we diligently cultivated our 
land, we scarcely obtained enough to prolong 
our lives, and to pay the heavy tax to our lord, 
the nobleman whose bondmen we are. In the 
year just passed it was altogether impossible, as 
the hail destroyed our crops ; and I went to the 
nobleman to present to him our destitution, and 
to beseech him to remit the tax. He would not 
listen, but referred me to his steward. I repaired 
to the latter, but was received . harshly. He 
drove me, with cruel words, from his threshold, 
and threatened that if we did not pay within a 


A FRIEND. 


89 


week every kopec that we owed him, he would 
drive us from the house and land, and place us 
among the slaves of his property. My story, 
my petition, and my tears, did not touch the 
cruel man. In vain did I tell him to reflect that 
my old father could no longer perform any great 
labor. ‘Then he may die of hunger!’ he re- 
sponded. I offered myself immediately as a 
servant who would do the work for two, if he 
would only allow my father to rest in peace in 
his little cottage; but he had no pity for my 
prayers, and drove me from him hopeless. 
Weeping, I returned to my poor father, and re- 
vealed to him our destitution. Without inter- 
rupting, he listened to me quietly, and neither 
complained nor mourned. 

“ ‘ The time is come I ’ said he, calmly. ‘ The 
cruel steward wishes to drive us from our land 
to give it to his sister’s son, I am well aware. 
But he will not succeed in destroying us. Take 
this cross, my son ; get ready to go to Moscow, 
and at the Kreml ask for a noble youth, whose 
8 * 


90 PRIDE. 

name is Alexander Menzikoff. He will listen to 
you and rescue us.’ 

“ I took the cross and went. The misery of 
my old father gave me wings. I did not rest, 
and arrived in Moscow the next evening. As 
soon as it was day I sought the Kreml, but I 
was not allowed to enter, and no one would 
inform Sir Alexei of my arrival and my wants. 
Three days I waited in vain. At last God took 
pity and led you to me. And now — O, I know 
you will rescue us. You will not abandon my 
old father in his sorrow !” 

“ No, I will help you if I can,” responded 
Alexei, much moved. “ But what can I do ? I 
am not rich. How much does the debt of your 
father amount to, Paul ?” 

*‘A hundred rubles, sir! It is a large sum.” 

“ Not more than that ? Then I can help you 1” 
exclaimed Alexei, joyfully. “ True, I have no 
money, but I have this watch ; and although it is 
hard for me to part with it, as it is a present 
from my most gracious master the Czar, still it 


A FRIEND. 


91 


must be done to save your father. Come on, 
Paul Iwanowitz! We will go to the court-jew- 
eler ; he will willingly lend me a hundred rubles 
on this watch, and then when I have the money 
again I can redeem it. Come, come, friend, you 
shall be helped !” 

Paul Iwanowitz uttered a cry of rapture, and 
had they not been on the open street he would 
have thrown himself at Alexei’s feet. But 
Alexei hastened forward to the court-jeweler. 
The watch was worth more than twice the sum 
that they demanded, and the jeweler willingly 
handed him the hundred rubles, which were 
immediately turned over to the happy Paul. 

“ But listen, sir,” said Alexander, turning to 
the jeweler, “ I do not sell the watch, but I leave 
it with you as a pawn until, through the kindness 
of the Czar, I can redeem it again.” 

“Yes, yes, my boy,” answered the man, “I 
understand. I will retain the watch until you 
return and pay the money.” 

“ Well, now run ahead, Paul Iwanowitz,” said 


92 


PRIDE. 


Alexei to the happy boy. “ Settle the matter 
with the harsh steward, and greet your old 
father for me. Walk fast, so that you will not be 
too late.” 

Paul still wished to express his gratitude with 
fervent words, but Alexei would not permit him, 
but eagerly sent him away. 

At last Paul darted away like an arrow, and 
Alexei looked after him with sympathy. 

“ H’m !” he murmured to himself, “ perhaps I 
have acted foolishly ! But what is the difference ? 
I could not help it ! If only the Czar does not 
notice that my watch is missing! He will be 
angry I But he will probably not notice it, and 
so I will escape until I procure the money!” 

Once more he enjoined the jeweler not to 
relinquish the watch at any price, whether he 
would redeem it soon or late, and then he 
hastened to fulfill the orders of the Czar. Full 
of spirits, he cheerfully returned to the Kreml, 
after he had performed his duties, and informed 
the Czar that his orders were fulfilled. 


A FRIEND. 93 

Good, Alexei !” answered the Czar, shortly. 
“ You can go !” 

Alexei was happy to go away in this manner, 
but all at once the Czar recalled him. 

What time is it, Alexander ?” he asked. 

The poor youth stood there, as though struck 
by lightning, and a deep blush of shame and 
embarrassment burned upon his cheeks. 

“ Do you not hear me ?” continued the Czar. 
“ I ask you what time is it ?” 

Alexei prostrated himself before the Czar, and 
begged for mercy. 

“ What does this mean ?” asked the Czar, 
frowning. “ Why do you beg for mercy ? Ah, 
what do I see ? You have the watch no longer ? 
Where have you left it ?” 

Still upon his knees, he related the adventure 
with Paul Iwanowitz. The Czar listened to him 
with displeasure. 

“ Listen, Alexander,” said he coldly, “this is 
false ! You have sold that watch, a present from 
me as a token of my favor, to procure money 


94 PRIDE. 

for idle pleasures. Confess your fault, and I will 
forgive you !” 

“ No, no, no, your majesty !” replied Alexei, 
with tears in his eyes. “ It is all true, as I have 
told you ! I would not dare to lift my eyes if I 
had lied r 

The Czar shook his head, apparently still 
doubting Alexei’s assertion — the story of Paul 
was so improbable. 

“You will not confess, Alexander?” asked he, 
sternly. “ Speak the truth, or fear my wrath !” 

“Ah, your majesty, I swear that I speak the 
truth !” stammered Alexei. 

“Very well, we will see!” said the Czar. 
“ But woe be unto you, if you have lied. Remain 
in my ante-room until you hear from me.” 

Although Alexander felt himself innocent, at 
least concerning the disposal of the watch, still 
he left the angry lord trembling and with a heavy 
heart, and retired to the ante-room to await the 
decision. However merciful the disposition of 
the Czar might be, still the poor youth could not 


A FRIEND. 


95 


know how he would accept even the provisional 
sale of his gift. If he became angry, then there 
was misfortune for Alexander, for all his hopes 
for the future rested upon the favor of the Czar. 

He had waited about a half-hour in anxiety 
and pain, when at last he was summoned by the 
Czar. Pale and trembling, he entered the apart- 
ment; but his whole soul was elevated when, 
lifting his timid eyes to the Czar, he beheld a 
-friendly smile upon his beaming countenance. 
Bursting into tears, he threw himself at his feet. 

“ Why do you weep, Alexander ?” said the 
Czar, gently. “ I know now that you spoke the 
truth. I sent for the jeweler, he confirmed your 
story, and it is all right. Here, take your watch 
again ! I have redeemed it, and present it to you 
again. Now then, why do you continue to weep ?” 

“ O, my merciful, best master !” stammered 
Alexander. “ I was so distressed, because I 
feared your majesty would be angry with me, 
and now — I weep tears of joy because you have 
pardoned me.” 


96 


PRIDE. 


“ Enough ! Arise !” commanded the Czar. 
‘‘ Truly you have committed a mistake, and the 
distress you have experienced may serve as your 
punishment. Moreover, I am not angry that 
you pawned the watch to assist an unfortunate 
one, but on this account, that you had not 
enough confidence in me to come to me and to 
seek my aid. My subjects are my children, and 
I will protect them when ill overtakes them. 
Remember that in the future. And now explain 
to me, how did you happen to know this youth 
whom you helped?” 

Alexander related to him the incident concern- 
ing old Iwan, his prophecies, and the promise 
which he had given him to help his son if he 
ever was in the position to be able to do so. 

Well, you have honestly kept your promise, 
and I now pardon you that you have done it 
without my knowledge,” said the Czar. “ How- 
ever, as you cannot do very much for the poor 
boy, I myself must redeem your obligation, 
when proved that Paul Iwanowitz is worthy of 


A FRIEND. 


97 


my favor. What is the name of the village 
where his father lives ?” 

Fortunately Alexander remembered it, and 
named it to the Czar. 

“ Good !” said the Czar. “ We will see.” 

Alexander thanked heaven that the threaten- 
ing storm had passed over his head without any 
injury, and thought, after a few days had elapsed 
without anything further occurring, that the 
whole incident had been forgotten. But he was 
not a little astonished when, on being summoned 
to the Czar one morning, he beheld in his pres- 
ence the old Iwan and Paul Iwanowitz, who 
looked upon him with glowing eyes. 

“ See, here are your old friends, Alexander,” 
said the Czar. “ Greet them ! I have heard 
nothing but good concerning them, and it 
delights me that I have learned of them through 
you. Old Iwan is free, and has nothing mor^ to 
fear from the steward, as he will be steward for 
one of my estates. Paul Iwanowitz, however, 
will remain near you, and will be received into 
G 


9 


98 


PRIDE. 


my regiment of guards. I need good soldiers, 
and if he is worthy, he will soon . become an 
officer. Now go and enjoy yourselves together. 
General Le Fort will see to the rest. But you, 
Alexander, remember, one ought not to pawn his 
watch to help a friend, but should seek protection 
from the Czar when it is needed. You see I 
know how to provide better than you !” 

Alexander threw himself at the feet of the 
Czar, and kissed the hem of his garment. “ O, 
my most gracious master !” he exclaimed, my 
heart is full of repentance and gratitude !” 

I know it, my son !” answered the Czar 
gently. “ My favor remains with you ! Go !” 

Full of delight and joy, the happy trio retired, 
and Alexander was overwhelmed with thanks 
and blessings by Iwan and Paul. Paul grasped 
his hand, and carried it to his heart and his lips. 

“ Benefactor Alexander,” said he with heart- 
felt emotion, “ you have saved my father, rescued 
him from misery, and opened the path of honor 
to me! I find no words to express what my 


A FRIEND. 


99 


heart feels. But listen, my friend ; if you need a 
friend who is ready at any moment to sacrifice 
his life, and to shed every drop of blood in his 
veins for you, then think of Paul Iwanowitz. 
You will not find a truer friend under the sun.” 

“ And you may depend on me too, Paul,” 
answered Alexander, earnestly. “ Until now, I 
have never had a friend, and I am glad that you 
will be that to me. Let us remain true in happi- 
ness and in sorrow, whichever the future may 
bring to us.” 

“ I swear it !” said Paul Iwanowitz, and the 
youths embraced each other. Old Iwan raised 
his trembling hands, and placed them gently 
upon Alexander’s and his son’s head. 

God bless you and your bond,” said he, re- 
joicing. “ Friendship is a noble and sacred 
blessing, and is worthy of praise : it is the most 
precious gift of heaven upon the earth.” 


CHAPTER IV. 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


LL the commands of the Czar were carried 



out. Old Iwan remained in the vicinity of 
Moscow as the steward of an estate of the Czar, 
and his son Paul was assigned to a position in 
the Poteschnij-guards, who were on guard 
almost daily in the interior of the Kreml. Here 
Alexander met his friend frequently, and always 
rejoiced to hear from his own mouth that he was 
prospering. In a manner similar to Alexander, 
Paul also used his leisure hours for the cultiva- 
tion of his mind, and the acquisition of useful 
knowledge; and as he was also faithful in the 
discharge of his duties, he soon won the favor 
of his superiors, and even of the Czar, who 
knew each one of his faithful followers personally, 
and recognized them occasionally by a smile. 
Notwithstanding, Paul advanced but slowly 


(loo) 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


lOI 


toward a higher rank, and after the lapse of a few 
years he- had not risen above the position of 
under-officer, whereas Alexander, during this 
time, had made perceptible progress, and, by the 
kindness of the Czar, had been appointed as 
colonel of a regiment. 

This elevation did not disturb the friendship 
between him and Paul Iwanowitz in the least ; 
and although they saw each other less frequently, 
still each cherished the former friendship and 
affection for the other. Moreover, Alexander 
was but waiting for a favorable opportunity to 
call the attention of the Czar, whose undimin- 
ished favor he continually enjoyed, to his friend, 
and thus to secure him a more speedy promotion. 
But he did not dare to force this, but must 
patiently await the proper moment, and so Alex- 
ander exhorted his friend to patience. But Paul 
scarcely needed the admonition. 

“ Do not think that I am so very ambitious,” 
said he frequently to Alexander, when the latter 
would raise his hopes for the future; “as long as 
0 * 


102 


PRIDE. 


your friendship for me remains, I will not feel 
unfortunate, however high you rise above me. I 
am satisfied, and contentment is worth more than 
rank or honor. Only take care for yourself! I 
rejoice as much in your success as though it 
were my own 1” 

The modesty of his friend disturbed Alexan- 
der, and, at various times, he sought to induce 
his noble patron to promote Paul ; but the Czar 
paid no attention to his suggestions, and appeared 
to have wholly forgotten poor Paul Iwanowitz. 
All the more, he overwhelmed Alexander with 
the tokens of his favor, and even, altogether 
unexpectedly, appointed him as general. Paul 
was still a subaltern officer. 

At length, one day, an event occurred which 
Alexander thought he could improve for the 
good of his friend. 

It was in the winter. A stiff frost had bound 
the earth in icy bonds ; the snow lay upon the 
wide plains a foot deep ; and the wolves, who 
could' no longer find food in the forests, driven 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


103 


by hunger, broke forth from the coverts in great 
packs upon the villages in the vicinity of Moscow, 
where they prowled and killed, and rendered the 
streets dangerous. 

The cries of the poor peasants, whose stalls 
were being depopulated by the terrible thieves, 
came to the ears of the Czar ; and he immediately 
gave orders to check the disturbance as soon as 
possible, and either to destroy the wolves or to 
drive them back into the coverts of the most 
distant forests. Whole regiments were dis- 
patched against the beasts, and even the Czar 
himself desired a shot at the animals. Accord- 
ingly a hunt was arranged, and Alexander 
received orders to attend it. 

Laden with rifles and cutlass, the Czar, with a 
goodly number of followers, rode out into the 
snow-covered plains and woods. They had not 
long to wait before a troop of wolves was fright- 
ened out ; shots rebounded from all sides, and 
soon dispersed the howling beasts, who sought 
the distance. The companions of the Czar 


104 


PRIDE. 


chased them, and even the Czar himself spurred 
his steed to chase the pack, into which from time 
to time he sent a death-dealing ball. One wolf 
after the other tumbled, and dying, colored the 
snow with his blood. At last but one remained, 
the strongest and fiercest of them all. The Czar 
by no means wished to allow him to escape, and 
although he had fired two, three balls in succes- 
sion without effect, the wild flight of the animal 
compelled him to a most zealous pursuit. He 
did not notice that he had become more and 
more separated from his companions, until he 
had at last lost all sight of them. . No one fol- 
lowed the Czar either, but a single rider, whose 
horse appeared to be too weak and feeble in 
comparison with the noble steed of the ruler, as 
it remained a considerable distance behind, until 
at last it disappeared from sight in the thick 
intricacies of the woods. 

Hither the wolf had tak^ refuge to seek a 
hiding-place in the protecting timber ; but boldly, 
and without considering any obstacle, the Czar 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


105 


had chased him here, until at last he had secured 
the panting beast in a glen surrounded by rocks, 
where he had no other expedient than to turn 
around and immediately receive the ball of his 
pursuer. 

The beast stood still, turned round, showed 
his long, sharp teeth to the Czar, and glared 
threateningly at him with his wild, glowing, 
sparkling eyes. Calmly the Czar took aim and 
fired. Simultaneously the wolf sprang forward, 
the ball passed by him harmlessly, and in the 
next moment the beast sprang upon the neck of 
the noble horse, where it bit in deep. The horse, 
furious with fear and pain, sought to free himself 
from his rider, snorted, shook himself, bounded 
on high with a wild leap, and at last horse and 
rider fell together. 

On account of the leaps of the poor animal, it 
was impossible for the Czar to use his cutlass, 
and now the horse, with its whole weight, lay 
upon him, so that it was impossible to draw his 
weapon. The wolf deserted the horse and 


io6 


PRIDE. 


turned his glaring eyes toward the Czar, who 
now felt the hot breath of the beast upon his 
face. He then raised himself for a leap upon 
his helpless opponent. The Czar appeared to be 
lost. 

Then, in this moment of extremest peril, a 
shot sounded — the wolf gave a hoarse yell, and 
instead of falling forwards, rolled to one side, 
gasped fiercely for breath several times, and 
expired upon the snow. ■ 

“ Alexander, you ?” exclaimed the Czar, as he 
turned to meet his rescuer. “ That was a good 
shot, and fired at the right time ! ,Help me to 
get from under this horse !” 

Alexander sprang quickly from his horse, and 
by a powerful effort succeeded in freeing his lord 
from the heavy load of the horse. The Czar 
arose and extended his hand to him. 

“You have done well, Alexander,” said he. 
“ But a moment later, I believe the beast would 
have torn me with his teeth. I owe you many 
thanks. Ask any favor of me !” 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


107 


“ O, my most gracious lord,” replied Alexander 
humbly, “ I have done nothing but my duty; and 
if my horse had been a little better, I would have 
been on the spot sooner !” 

“You shall have another and a better horse, 
from my own stables ; I will allow you your own 
choice !” said the Czar. “ But quickly, what can 
I do. for you ? Speak freely !” 

“Your majesty, if I may ask,” said Alexander, 
fortunately remembering his friend Paul at this 
opportune moment, “ if I dare to express a re- 
quest, then I beg of you to give to my friend, 
Paul Iwanowitz, an officer’s commission ! He 
merits it, gracious sir! Your majesty has not a 
more faithful servant in the ranks of the guards !” 

The Czar smiled. “ And even now, here in 
the moment when you could attain anything for 
yourself, do you think of your friend,” said he. 
“ This pleases me, Alexander ! This devotion 
rejoices and touches me, as it is the evidence of 
your noble heart. Now you may learn that 
hitherto I have not promoted Paul Iwanowitz 


io3 


PRIDE. 


purposely, that I might prove your attachment 
to him. Whosoever is true to an hitmble friend^ 
will also ever be true to his lord and ruler. I can 
depend upon you, can I not, Alexander ?” 

“ Until death, your majesty !” cried Alexander, 
impetuously. “ Not one false drop of blood 
flows in my veins, and the last, with joy, I will 
shed for my gracious lord !” 

“ I believe you, Alexander !” said the Czar 
warmly. “Your assertions are needless. No 
one but you followed me, no one but you was at 
my side in this moment of peril ! Enough, I 
know your heart. , Your request for Paul Iwano- 
witz is granted. You can inform him that I have 
appointed him as colonel of the Poteschnij- 
guards.” 

Alexander beamed with delight at the fortune 
of his friend, and began to express his thanks, 
but the Czar quickly imposed silence upon him. 

“ Silence ! No thanks !“ said the kind ruler. 
“ Paul Iwanowitz deserves my favor. I have 
noticed you and him for a long time. He will 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


109 


be a good officer, and I can depend on his faith- 
fulness as upon yours. Tell him that. But now 
Alexander, ask something for yourself You 
shall not be a victim to your noble friendship !” 

O, my most gracious lord,” replied Alexan- 
der, “ your majesty makes me happy with your 
favor, and what greater or better thing can I 
desire ?” 

“ But you shall express a wish ! I command 
you !” ordered the Czar. 

“ Well then,” cried Alexander, throwing him- 
self at the feet of the Czar, “ I ask you for one 
thing, for the high favor — never to be separated 
from your majesty / ” 

The Czar smiled and nodded his approval. 

“ Granted !” said he. “ Arise, Alexander ! You 
shall be ever near me, except in case of a serious 
emergency, when I need your services in another 
quarter. But such a separation will only be an 
evidence of my favor. Do you understand me?” 

“ I understand, and again renew my oath to be 
true and faithful to your majesty until death !” 


10 


1 10 


PRIDE. 


said Alexander, whilst the tears flowed down his 
cheeks. 

The Czar grasped his hand and said earnestly : 
“ I receive this oath ! And now, your horse. 
Count Alexander Menzikofif, we must see where 
my other attendants are !” 

Alexander became pale, and as he held the 
stirrup for the Czar, his hand trembled. 

“ O, what a fullness of favor !” he murmured. 

It costs me but a word,” responded the Czar. 
“ Your heart is noble enough to honor the title 
of Count. The title is for the zvorld; your heart, 
I hope, is for me ! ” 

With these last expressive words he gave 
spurs to his horse and rode away. Alexander 
looked after him as though stunned. It was 
too great; he could scarcely comprehend the 
thought that he, once the poor, humble baker 
boy, of obscure origin, could now be elevated to 
the rank of a Count ! But the Czar had spoken, 
and his word was as steadfast as the rocks in the 
sea. It seemed to him as though he were dream- 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


I I I 


ing, and only the voices of the quickly-galloping 
riders awakened him from the confusion of his 
feelings. A few lords of the attendants of the 
Czar rushed to him, congratulated him on his 
promotion, and brought him, by the order of the 
Czar, a horse. 

“ You are to retain it. Count Menzikoff,” said 
one of the lords. “ There is not a finer horse in 
the royal stables, and we were expressly com- 
manded to bring it to you as a giftr 

“ God bless our lord ! Long live the Czar !” 
cried Alexander, with deep emotion. “And 
now let us advance, that I may lay my thanks at 
his feet!” 

Alexander was not much more delighted with 
his own elevation than with the promotion of 
his friend, and he had scarcely finished speaking 
his thanks to the Czar for his newly received 
present, when he hurried to Paul Iwanowitz to 
impart to him the wonderful news of his own 
appointment as colonel. Paul could scarcely 
trust his hearing. But as, soon after, a servant 


I 12 


PKIDE. 


of the Czar entered and handed him the fully- 
executed commission, and a roll of money for 
equipment, he was beside himself with joy, and 
full of gratitude to the Czar. 

“Alexander!” he exclaimed, and fell upon his 
friend’s neck. “ I thank you for this fortune, 
and truly, I ghall never forget it. My faithfulness 
is ever due to the Czar and you, and let me have 
no part in eternal happiness if I ever forsake 
you. Tell this to the Czar, and assure him that 
my life is his till my latest breath I” 

Alexander did not fail to inform the Czar of 
this expression, which he accepted with satisfac- 
tion. 

“ I do not doubt either of you,” said he. 
“ Keep your oath, and my favor will ever remain 
with you 1” 

He continued in the Czar’s favor, and as the 
winter passed Alexander received a new token 
of the great trust which his ruler placed in him. 
The Czar resolved to make an extended tour 
through Europe, to instruct himself by his own 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


II3 

investigations and proofs concerning the indus- 
tries, manufactures and arts of the great indus- 
trial lands, in order that, after his return, he 
might introduce the most practical and suitable 
of these into his own great kingdom, and thus 
increase the welfare of his subjects. He imparted 
his plan to Alexander, and at the. same time 
informed him that he had decided to take him as 
his companion. Alexander beamed with delight 
at this arrangement, and expressed his joyful 
wishes, and was only sorry that Paul Iwanowitz 
could not journey with them. On the other 
hand it was, however, very pleasing to him, that 
he could leave behind him a friend on whom he 
could rely in all circumstances, and under eveiy 
condition and situation. For this purpose, im- 
mediately after his dismissal by the Czar, he 
betook himself to Paul’s dwelling, and imparted 
to him the new kindness of the Czar, and held 
further consultation with him. Paul rejoiced in 
his friend’s good fortune, and gave him the most 
earnest assurance of his faithful zeal. 

10* H 


PRIDE. 


1 14 

Comforted by this promise, soon after Alex- 
ander departed among the attendants of the 
ruler, and traveled through Esthland, Lievland, 
Brandenburg, Hanover, and Westphalia, to Ams- 
terdam, where the Czar intended to remain a 
longer time, as he was especially interested in 
the naval affairs, and particularly in ship- 
building, which at that time had reached its 
highest development in Holland. Unknown, 
daily the Czar sought the great dock-yard, and 
most carefully informed himself concerning all 
the particulars of the ship-building, and in this 
pursuit was always accompanied by Alexander 
alone, whose zeal fof knowledge almost equalled 
the Czar’s, whilst the rest of the attendants of the 
Great Commander — the Czar traveled by this 
title, in order to avoid the great tributes of 
honor — troubled themselves little or nothing 
concerning his efforts and investigations. Alex- 
ander’s desire for learning pleased the Czar, and 
on this account he ever rose higher in his favor. 

One evening the Czar returned from the dock 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


II5 

to his abode, in deep meditation, and contrary to 
his usual custom, spoke but little to Alexander, 
who walked modestly at his side. Arriving at 
the palace which the Czar had taken as his resi- 
dence during his stay in Amsterdam, he threw 
himself upon a sofa, and remained in deep thought. 
Alexander awaited his orders with anxiety. 

“ This will not do !” said Peter suddenly, turn- 
ing to Alexander. “ By this inspection and 
explanation we do not reach the main point — we 
do not gain as much as I wish. I became con- 
vinced of that to-day. Before we reach Russia 
again, we will have forgotten the half of that 
which we here try to impress upon our thoughts 
so laboriously — a half knowledge is not much 
better than total ignorance — and our present 
work at the dock will have been altogether in 
vain. This does not satisfy me, Alexander ! 
Give me a suggestion !” 

“Will not your majesty first vouchsafe to im- 
part to me the exact aim of our studies in ship- 
building?” said Alexander, humbly. 


PRIDE. 


I l6 

“ The aim ?” responded the Czar. Is it not 
self-evident? I want to make Russia greater 
than any land or people, and to that end I need, 
more than anything else, a powerful navy. With- 
out ships, there can be no great kingdom.” 

“ Your majesty can summon a few skillful ship- 
builders to your land, and allow the navy to be 
instructed under their direction.” 

“ I have thought of that,” responded the Czar, 
“but it does not satisfy me. We could be 
deceived, disappointed, deluded by these persons ; 
and who could prove it to them, if we ourselves 
do not thoroughly understand the matter ? 
Suggest something else, Alexander ! 

Alexander looked down and thought. When 
he raised his eyes again to the Czar, a peculiar 
smile played about his mouth. 

“ I well know a means, by which to reach the 
aim of your majesty,” said he, “ but I doubt 
whether your majesty would employ it.” 

“ What means ? I will spare neither pains nor 
money, if it leads to my design.” 


INCREASING FAVOR. I 17 

“ It leads to your design, without a doubt,” 
assured Alexander, “ but it requires efforts which 
will scarcely be relished by your majesty.” 

‘‘ Do not speak of that ! To create a powerful 
navy, I am ready to do everything !” 

“ Even to apply your own royal hajtd ? ” asked 
Alexander, trembling and hesitating, as he was 
unable to calculate how the Czar would receive 
his suggestion. 

“ Apply my own hand ? What do you mean 
by that? Speak freely; I will not receive it 
unkindly. What do you mean ?” 

“ Well then, pardon me, your majesty,” said 
Alexander; “I mean that if your majesty, 
clothed in such a manner so that no one would 
recognize you, would yourself, with your own 
hand, grasp the tools and, for a short time, 
become an apprentice, then your great mind 
would soon succeed in penetrating and appropri- 
ating all the secrets and the skill in the ship- 
building, and that which you have learned in 
this way by practice, your majesty will assuredly 


8 


PRIDE. 


never forget. But pardon me, your majesty, it is 
indeed a foolish and absurd suggestion which I 
have dared to offer.” 

“ Foolish, absurd, do you say?” exclaimed the 
Czar quickly, and rising, he walked up and down 
the apartment several times with a quick tread. 
“ It is the brightest thought which you can con- 
ceive, Alexander, and it has fallen upon my 
heart as a burning spark. Yes, it is so ! I my- 
self am the man ! What one has acquired by his 
own strength, his own efforts and perseverance, 
remains with him forever. You have indicated 
the way, Alexander, in which I shall walk, and I 
do not. doubt that it will lead me to my aim in 
the shortest time. Yes, Alexander, I will lay 
aside the purple and the crown, and seize the ax 
of the carpenter! No efforts and apparent humil- 
iation will be too great or too deep, if they avail 
to make my people the greatest upon the earth.” 

When the Czar had once made a resolution, 
which he regarded as good and proper, he 
allowed no time to be lost before putting it to 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


1 19 

practice. Immediately, the following morning, 
he gathered together his followers, informed 
them that he would be obliged to leave them for 
a short time, and commanded them, for fear of 
their lives, to observe the strictest secrecy con- 
cerning his absence. But one other confidant 
was admitted into the secret, in case it would be 
necessary to forward important messages and 
reports to the Czar ; and then Peter, accompanied 
by Alexander, left Amsterdam, to install himself 
in the little village Saardam, with the intention 
of putting his plan in operation. 

Arrived at Saardam, he established himself 
after the usual, simple, national custom of a 
carpenter, and under the name of Peter Michae- 
lar, enrolled himself among the workmen. Alex- 
ander, following the example of his noble ruler, 
did the same, and no one suspected the true rank 
and position of the plain carpenters, who 
appeared upon the dock daily among the hum- 
blest of their companions, and worked vigorously 
with the ax on mast and keel. 


120 


PRIDE. 


The Czar and Alexander occupied a small 
cottage, took care of themselves here without 
even a single servant. The Czar himself made 
his own bed, cooked his own simple meals, and 
would not suffer Alexander even to assist him. 

“ What do you want ?” said he. “ If I would 
grant you this permission, some one would soon 
notice who is disguised in this way, and our pur- 
pose would be thwarted. What one intends to 
do, must be done thoroughly and entirely ! As 
you sow you reap, and we will not employ our- 
selves in this ship-building work for fun, but in 
sober earnest^ 

Alexander naturally conformed himself to the 
orders of his lord, but studied to be as helpful to 
him as possible. Ever cheerful and happy at his 
work, always ready with a joke, he knew how to 
win the good will of his fellow-laborers, whereas 
the earnest and noble bearing of the Czar — even 
in his humble garments — warded off any inti- 
macy or familiarity. 

For fully seven weeks the great Peter dwelt 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


12 


unknown, in this manner, in Saardam, and during 
this time not only labored upon great war and 
trade-ships, but, on account of his restless 
activity, he found time and leisure enough, with 
the help of Alexander, to build a fine boat him- 
self, which he had taken to Russia at a later 
period, as a remembrance of this remarkable 
apprenticeship in his life. 

Moreover, these were seven severe, laborious 
weeks, full of want and earnest, heavy labor. 
They experienced great hardening of the hands 
and many drops of perspiration fell, but — and 
this was the chief thing — the aim of the Czar 
was. fully attained, and he could be sure that he 
could never be deceived in the future by his ship- 
builders. 

“ Now it is finished, Alexander,” said he one 
evening to his true follo-wer, as they returned 
from the dock to their cottage. “ We have 
labored honestly, and our industry has borne 
fruit which shall be for the welfare of my king- 
dom forever. It is time for us to return to the 


122 


PRIDE. 


great world, but every laborer is worthy of his 
reward, and before our departure we will allow 
ourselves a little pleasure, and to-morrow take a 
pleasure trip upon the sea. We will see if we 
understand not only how to build, but also how 
to guide a ship.” 

Alexander had not much difficulty in finding 
a large, strong boat, manned by a few stout 
sailors, which he hired, and on the next morning, 
bold and free from care, they steered out into 
the open sea. The Czar himself, with a power- 
ful and skillful hand, guided the rudder, and 
found glorious enjoyment in the pleasure trip. 
With joy he breathed the invigorating sea 
breeze, and did not notice that gradually, as 
they became more and more distant from the 
coast, the breeze, cool even at the start, began to 
blow more strongly, and the tossing waves to 
rise higher and higher. The little ship tossed 
upon them like a nut-shell, and the sailors began 
to display thoughtful countenances. 

“ Would it not be better for us to return, sir ?” 


INCREASING FAVOR. 1 23 

said an old weather-browned sailor to the steers- 
man, whom he suspected to be any one else in 
the world but the ruler of Russia. “ The wind 
continues to increase, and over yonder a storm 
seems to be gathering, which our vessel would 
scarcely be able to endure if it should happen to 
overtake us.” 

The bold pilot shook his head, smiling. 

“ I have long wished to encounter a little storm 
at sea,” he replied. “ Forward, sailors! Shake 
out the sails I We must fly over the waves like 
a gull.” 

The crew obeyed the orders, although with 
hesitation and evident anxiety. Alexander 
marked these things and walked over to his lord. 

“ Does not your majesty dare too much?” he 
whispered to him. “ Look at the sailors I They 
are really afraid I If any misfortune should 
befall your majesty — I tremble to think of it.” 

“ Foolishness, my dear Alexander,” responded 
the great Peter, with calmness. “ Did you ever 
he^ir that a Czar of Russia was vanquished by 


124 


PRIDE. 


the waves ? Do not disturb me ; there is no 
danger, and if it does come, we will be able to 
meet it. Be free from care, my friend.” 

Alexander retreated humbly, and helped the 
sailors arrange the sails. After a few moments 
they offered the whole surface of the canvas to 
the pressure of the wind, and the Czar had 
attained what he wished. As a gull, the light 
bark flew over the glancing waves. True, now 
and then, the sparkling foam of the waves was 
thrown on deck, and drenched the hardy sailors 
to the skin; but none minded it less than the 
Czar, who laughingly shook off the salt water 
without removing his hand from the rudder. 

Farther and farther glided the little boat out 
into the open sea, but higher and ever higher 
over the skies arose the heavy, dark clouds, and 
gradually enveloped all in a gloomy mantle. 
The sun disappeared behind a gray mist and the 
light-green brilliancy of the sea changed into a 
dull gray ; great drops of rain began to fall, and 
suddenly a far-off deep roaring among the clouds 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


125 


announced the coming storm. Immediately a 
heavy gale arose, seized the open canvas with its 
full force and turned the boat upon its side. A 
cry of alarm broke from the sailors, and even 
Alexander, although not so frightened as they, 
became pale. 

“ Now is the time ! Now we have a storm in 
earnest !” cried the Czar, with a clear voice which 
sounded above the howling of the storm, and 
even the roaring of the thunder and the tumult 
of the waves. “ Draw in the sails ! Quick !” 

The crew endeavored to obey, but the light 
bark rocked so dangerously, and the wind 
pressed upon the sails with such power, that 
neither their skill nor their strength could avail 
to fulfill his command. 

Here, Alexander!” cried the Czar. “Hold 
the rudder a moment I I see very plainly that 
the fellows cannot accomplish it alone, and need 
help 1” 

Alexander sprang forward promptly and seized 
the rudder. The Czar hastened to the assistance 


II* 


126 


PRIDE. 


of the sailors, who were trembling with fear, and 
helped by his inspiring presence of mind, they 
were soon able to take in sail and arrange it in 
proper manner. The boat righted itself again, 
and although it was rocked from side to side by 
the waves, still the menacing danger, which the 
turn of the boat had threatened, was removed. 

But another danger arose ; destruction threat- 
ened. The storm quickly spread over the sea, 
the lightning flashed like a flame of fire, whilst 
the peals and murmuring of the thunder appeared 
to shake the whole vault of heaven. Trembling 
and pale with fear, the crew sank upon their knees 
and besought God for protection and help. The 
Czar alone stood steadfast and erect beneath the 
mast, and, unfrightened, beheld the tumult of 
nature. Alexander remained at the rudder, and 
held it only by his utmost strength, while he 
watched the clouds ever flashing with the light- 
ning. 

As he stood there, his eyes raised to heaven, 
there suddenly occurred to him a remembrance 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


127 


of his boyhood. He had once heard that if the 
lightning would strike a ship, it was generally 
wont to attack the mast, and an irresistible pang 
shot through his heart, as he beheld the Czar 
leaning against the mast, undisturbed and in his 
nobility. 

“ O God, if the lightning should strike him.” 

This thought flashed through his mind and 
filled him with deathly anxiety. Nearer and 
nearer roared the storm : if he wished to warn, 
to help, to protect, he must do it quickly. The 
next moment might bring terrible destruction 
in its lap. 

Alexander made up his mind quickly. In- 
stantly seizing a rope at hand, he bound the rud- 
der securely so that it could not swerve from its 
place, and hastened to the Czar. 

implore your majesty, leave this spot!” he 
begged in most earnest tones. “ I have a pre- 
sentiment that it could be a fatal one.” 

“Why?” inquired the Czar with a peaceful 
smile. “ I am just as safe here as in any other 


128 


PRIDE. 


place, and while God protects me, what injury 
can happen to me?” 

“ God does protect your majesty,” replied 
Alexander urgently, “ in that God has given me 
the thought to beseech your majesty to avoid 
just this spot near the mast; and I shall perish 
with agony if you do not grant my humble 
prayer!” 

Alexander wrung his hands, tears flowed from 
his eyes, and the anguish of his soul was so 
plainly betokened in his countenance that the 
Czar was seized with pity for him. 

“ Well, then, have it your own way, if it will 
bring peace to you,” said he, gnd walked away 
from the mast to his former place at the rudder. 

Relieved of his intense anxiety, Alexander fol- 
lowed him. The Czar was even about to ridi- 
cule him a little for his needless faint-hearted- 
ness, but suddenly his already opened lips be- 
came mute, as a blinding flash lightened from the 
clouds close to his face ; a flame of fire descended 
upon the tip of the mast, but just deserted, and a 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


129 


deafening clap of thunder crashed, convulsing 
the little boat from one end to the other. Pale 
as corpses the sailors lay stretched out upon the 
deck; Alexander in fright seized and clung to 
the rigging to prevent himself from falling, and 
even the Czar himself changed color, but soon 
regained his composure. 

“ That was a terrible stroke !” he said. “ See 
to these people, Alexander. They lie there as 
though dead.” 

As Alexander, however, was unable to collect 
himself immediately, the Czar himself went and 
shook the fellows vigorously by the shoulders. 

Up, up !” he cried to them. “ The lightning 
has spared us through God’s mercy, but the 
boat leaks ! If you do not instantly set to work 
we will sink !” 

The terror of death roused them. They stag- 
gered up from the floor, and hastily went to 
examine the keel of the boat. The Czar had 
rightly seen or conjectured that the lightning 
had descended the mast, shattered it, and made 


130 


PRIDE. 


its passage out through the keel. The water 
pressed in through a large opening, and they 
were obliged to go to work speedily to stop the 
leak, in order to prevent the vessel from sinking. 

They succeeded. The water which had al- 
ready leaked in was bailed out, and in this 
employment, which gave every one something to 
do, they soon forgot their fright and anxiety. 
Moreover, the last outbreak of the storm seemed 
to have exhausted its power. The clouds flew 
by, the thunder rolled and murmured ever at a 
greater distance, the drenching rain slackened, 
and finally the sunshine broke clear and smiling, 
out of the disappearing mist. 

“The danger is past!” said the Czar, who 
alone had not lost his composure for a moment. 
“The storm will do us no more injury, and if 
the boat will only be able to withstand the pres- 
sure of the waves, we will soon be safe.” 

“ But the mast is completely shattered, sir,” 
said one of the sailors. “ It is not in the condi- 
tion to carry even a shred of sail.” 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


I3I 

“ Then we must grasp the rudder !” replied the 
Czar. “ Up, to work ! The sooner to work, the 
sooner to land ! Forward, forward ! We will 
help!” 

The peace and presence of mind of the Czar 
had a wonderful effect upon the sailors. They 
obeyed without any response, and as their patron 
and Alexander also seized the rudder, they soon 
succeeded in steering the tossing boat through 
the still high-swelling waves. After a half-hour’s 
exertions they saw the blue streak of the rescu- 
ing coast, and the sea too began to grow calm. 
The boards of the boat held together, and after 
one final persevering effort, they at last happily 
reached the harbor. The Czar threw a well- 
filled purse to the crew, saying, “For a new 
mast,” and together with Alexander, returned to 
their humble abode. When they had arrived 
there, he then grasped the hand of his faithful 
subject. 

“I thank you, Alexander,” he said. “You 
have again saved my life, and the Czar will repay 


132 


PRIDE. 


you for the good you have done for the car- 
penter, Peter Michselar. Truly, death was 
hanging over my head by a single hair, and I 
clearly see that I have served myself well in 
granting your request, never to separate you from 
me. When we return to Russia, we will continue 
this. The Czar does not forget.” 

Alexander desired no reward, for he was 
happy enough in having been able to succor his 
lord, and to turn aside destruction from his 
sacred head. He felt that he had established 
himself anew in the Czar’s favor, and higher than 
this he did not look. 

On the following day the Czar, accompanied 
by Alexander, returned to Amsterdam, and 
shortly afterwards continued his travels through 
Europe. First he went to London, where he 
lived in the manner of the English mariners, at 
the royal ship-building yard, and thoroughly 
learned the English style of ship-building. After 
a sojourn of three months, he finally went 
through Holland, by way of Dresden, to Vienna, 


INCREASING FAVOR. 


133 


where he had already given orders to make the 
necessary preparations for a farther trip into 
Italy. The evening before their departure, how- 
ever, Alexander appeared before him with a 
serious and thoughtful countenance. 

“ What is the matter ?” asked the Czar quickly. 
“ I see you bring me important news. Quick, 
out with it !” 

“ Indeed, news of the greatest importance, 
which will probably interfere with your majesty’s 
plan for traveling,” responded Alexander. “A 
courier from my friend, Paul Iwanowitz, brings 
news of another uprising of the Strelitzes. Here 
is the document, your majesty.” 

The Czar took it and hastily glanced over the 
contents. 

“ I must put a stop to this !” said he, with 
anger, frowning. Let everything be prepared 
for immediate departure. I will set out for 
Moscow this very night. Woe to the conspira- 
tors ! But, Alexander,, accept my thanks ! It is 
not enough that you guard my personal safety. 


12 


134 


PRIDE. 


but your true solicitude extends to a distant 
danger. You shall be fully recompensed for 
your service. Enough ! Now, forward, with 
haste !” 

Alexander hastened to fulfill the orders of his 
lord, and that same evening, the Czar, with his 
followers, left Vienna, hastening northward. Let 
the conspirators tremble ! 


CHAPTER V. 
fortune’s arrogance. 

T errible was the sentence which the Czar, 
in just anger, passed upon the revolting 
band of Strelitzes when he again reached Mos- 
cow, September 4, 1698. A hundred of the 
rebels expiated their crime on the gallows, 
another hundred were sent to the desert of 
Siberia for a lifelong punishment, the whole 
army of the Strelitzes was dissolved forever. 

As he knew how to punish justly, so the* 
noble-hearted Czar also knew how to reward 
generously. Alexander was honored above all 
others, and there was wanting neither rank, nor 
honor, nor property, nor wealth, which were not 
showered upon him. The Czar did not forget 
what Peter Michselar had promised. That 
Alexander, fearing that the envy and hatred of 
the nobility of the land might be aroused against 

(135) 


136 


PRIDE. 


him, tried to prevent this fullness of favor from 
being poured upon him too richly, made no dif- 
ference to the Czar. 

“Let them envy you,” responded the Czar. 
“You are receiving what you have earned. Let 
them show a like faithfulness, like conduct, equal 
devotion, and my favor will not fail them. In- 
dolence and ignorance I will never assist. As 
you sow, you shall reap. Tell that to those who 
look upon you with jealousy.” 

Paul Iwanowitz was promoted to a general, 
and many other faithful subjects were rewarded 
— ^but for Alexander, the flower bloomed contin- 
ually the richest and most illustrious. 

Still another circumstance occurred, which en- 
deared him more to the Czar. Two men, whom 
Peter loved and valued especially. Generals Le 
Fort and Gordon, died a short time after his re- 
turn to the kingdom. Deeply moved, the Czar 
spoke to Alexander concerning this painful loss. 

“ My most faithful servants and followers leave 
me,” he said. “ Scarcely any one is left me now 


fortune’s arrogance. 


137 

but you, Alexander. So much the more must I 
trust to your faithfulness.” 

Alexander re-asserted the sincerity of his feel- 
ings towards the Czar, and, in truth, his heart 
was overflowing with love and gratitude. With 
his mighty hand the Czar had raised him from 
the dust, placed him near to him, and loaded him 
with honor, splendor, and riches without measure. 
He would have been lacking in all human feel- 
ing, if he could have recompensed such great 
favor with base ingratitude. He loved his 
gracious lord and ruler with his whole soul, 
and it was by no means an empty expression, 
when he asserted that he was ready at any mo- 
ment to joyfully sacrifice his body and life for 
the Czar. 

As far as this, in this respect he was ever 
honest and true ; but alas ! his soul was not un- 
spotted by any vice or folly, which spring up all 
too quickly with growing power, as poisonous 
plants whose seed has fallen upon good ground. 

The early modesty which had characterized 
12* 


138 


PRIDE. 


him, gradually yielded to pride and arrogance; 
with his increasing wealth his avarice increased 
also; with his power, his self-assertion, severity, 
and even cruelty towards all who would not 
humble themselves to him. Fortune ever made 
him more arrogant, as it showered gifts upon him 
more richly and unceasingly, bringing to him 
the most fragrant garlands of life. 

Even into his private home life, this same for- 
tune followed him with favor. The Czar had 
presented him with a magnificent palace, and his 
good star led him to a lovely wife, who, by her 
goodness of soul, brought to him the sweetest 
joys of the home-life. 

God also sent him blooming children, and the 
Czar promised to care for their future good. 

As in every other place, so also in war, fortune 
smiled upon him with honor, and crowned his 
-Erowwith laurels. By his insight and bravery in 
the war with Sweden, he covered himself with 
glory and fought on the side of the Czar with a 
heroism that won him new marks of favor. The 


fortune’s arrogance. 


139 


prophecy of old Iwan was gradually being ful- 
filled in every respect : he seemed to be the first 
and mightiest next to the Czar, in the great 
kingdom of Russia, and there was no one who 
could rival him in favor and affection. Splendor, 
riches, and honor beamed upon him, and Alex- 
ander Menzikoff stood upon adieight, of which 
the poor baker-boy Alexaska would truly never 
have dreamed. He was even raised to the rank 
of a Prince, and appointed as Field-marshal, Gen- 
eral, and Admiral, and honored with the title of 
Duke of Ingerman, and even foreign powers vied 
with each other in heaping honors and favors 
upon the favorite of the Czar. From Denmark, 
Prussia and Poland, he received noble orders and 
magnificent presents and marks of favor. 

But, notwithstanding, in the midst of this 
splendor he no longer had the same happy feel- 
ings which he had enjoyed in that early time, 
when he had advanced but a few of the lower 
rounds of the ladder, but when his heart ahd 
conscience were unspotted by sin and vice. He 


140 


PRIDE. 


was indebted to the generosity of his ruler for 
immense possessions and wealth, but still avarice 
tormented him, and drove him to increase these 
still more by corruption and exaction. Avarice 
and ambition were the strongest passions which 
ruled him, and gradually darkened the qualities 
which rendered him so dear to the Czar. Pride 
and arrogance possessed him ; and as Menzikoff 
did not scruple to injure even the noblest families 
of the kingdom for his own advantage, and to 
pursue them remorselessly, *and even to cause 
their expulsion from the territory of the ruler, so, 
as a natural result, he had made a number of 
enemies, who worked secretly, but diligently and 
unceasingly, to overthrow him, and undermine 
his favor with the Czar. The Czar warned him. 

“ As you sow, you shall reap,” said he to him, 
“ I have made you great because of your virtues ; 
beware lest I make you nothing again because 
of your sins and vices !” 

Such warnings of the Czar availed for a little 
time, but soon Menzikoff forgot, or trusted in his 


fortune’s arrogance. 14 1 

own position as necessary to the Czar, and upon 
his unshaken confidence, and added new offenses 
to the old. 

Then the Czar not only became' angry, but 
punished him also. Menzikoff was frequently 
obliged to pay large fines, and the anger of the 
Czar at times led him himself to punish his dis- 
honest favorite. 

At one time, Menzikoff, with the assistance of 
a corrupt commissioner, had enlarged his land 
considerably at the expense of his neighbor. 
The cheated man dared not lay his trouble before 
the Czar, as he feared the anger of the powerful 
favorite. But Prince Dolgorucki, one of the 
nobles of the kingdom, discovered the dishonesty 
of Menzikoff, and hastened to reveal it to the 
Czar. Peter’s righteous indignation was aroused, 
and as a closer investigation confirmed the justice 
of the complaint, he himself hastened to the 
palace of Menzikoff, awakened his favorite, who 
was still in bed, out of the sweetest sleep, pre- 
sented his trespass, and, as Menzikoff could not 


142 


PRIDE. 


deny it, punished him by a severe course of 
lashing. 

“Now you see how one reaps what he has 
sown,” said the Czar, in deepest anger. “ And 
now, you will not only indemnify the poor peasant 
immediately for what you have taken, but as a 
punishment, you must pay to the state treasury 
a hundred thousand rubles. For a long time 
you have disgraced yourself" in my sight ! Do 
not let me look upon you again !” 

Menzikoff hastened to carry out the commands 
of the Czar, but the loss of his property and his 
money did not pain him as much as the loss of 
the favor of the Czar. It seemed impossible to 
endure it; and soon after the visitation of the 
angry Czar, he clothed himself wholly in his 
officer’s uniform, and betook himself humbly to 
the palace, threw himself at the feet of the Czar, 
laying his sword and his orders at his feet. 

“Your majesty,” said he, pale and downcast 
“ I do not deserve to bear these marks of your 
highest favor any longer ! Take them all back; 


fortune’s arrogance. 143 

I beseech you, only this one thing — do not 
deprive poor Menzikofif of your good will !” 

The Czar was moved. True, the Czar scolded 
his favorite severely, and exhorted him earnestly 
to' improve, took him again into his favor, and 
bade him receive again his sword and honors. 

Similar things occurred frequently, but as 
Menzikoff always vowed his repentance and 
reformation, the Czar ever forgave him, until 
finally the patience of the Czar was tried so 
severely that it almost gave out. 

During the Persian campaign, which caused 
the Czar to be absent the greater part of the 
year 1722, Menzikoff did not accompany him, 
but remained behind at the head of the regency, 
whose next powerful member was General Shas- 
siroff. Neither trusted the other, and their 
enmity became so great that one time, in the 
open senate, they overwhelmed each other with 
disgraceful words, calling each other frauds and 
cheats. Upon the return of the Czar, Shassiroff 
hastened to him with his complaints against 


144 


PRIDE, 


Menzikofif, and when the Czar arrived in Moscow, 
Menzikoff accused his opponent. 

“You are both guilty!” was the decision of 
the Czar, after he had considered both complaints. 
“ You deserve punishment because you have thus 
forgotten yourselves in open senate, and for this 
offense each shall pay a fine of a hundred thou- 
sand rubles. A strict investigation will reveal 
the full punishment.” 

The investigation was not delayed, and the 
crime appeared so great, that in the first heat of 
his anger, the Czar was ready to pass a sentence 
of death upon them. A court-martial was held 
and the Czar himself took the chair. Menzikoff 
knew, by the darkened brow and warning flash 
in the eyes of the Czar, that he would be lost if 
he could not avail to avert the storm at the 
moment. Overpowered by pain and repentance, 
he threw himself down, and made a voluntary 
full confession, whilst at the same time he handed 
the Czar a written statement of his offense. 

The deep contrition and humiliation of the 


fortune’s arrogance. 145 

prostrate man touched the heart of the good 
ruler again; his brow cleared itself, and the 
former angry appearance of his countenance 
changed to one of pity and compassion. How- 
ever, he must still be just, and probably even his 
old favor could not have availed to elevate the 
fallen one again, had not, just at this peculiar 
moment, a fnend lifted up his voice. Paul Iwan- 
owitz, in the faithful, thankful remembrance of 
the services which Alexander had formerly ren- 
dered him, dared to approach the Czar, and 
whispering, beg for mercy. 

“ Forgive the offense, your majesty !” begged 
he imploringly. “In this dark hour, let your 
majesty remember that this unfortunate one has 
always loved you !’’ 

“ That is true !’’ said the noble sovereign, and 
the light of mercy brightened his face. 

Menzikoff saw it and breathed again — but 
others also noticed it, and the youngest of the 
court, a captain of the guard, arose from hi^ seat, 
saying aloud to his neighbor, so that the Czar 
13 K 


146 


PRIDE. 


could hear, Let us go ! There is nothing more 
for us to do !” 

“ What do you say ?” asked the Czar, seeing 
that the officer had taken his hat and was about 
to depart. ‘‘ Where are you going ?” 

Home,” answered the captain, coldly and 
resolutely. If your majesty allows such mat- 
ters to be settled by favor rather than justice, 
when base fraud is clearly seen and even con- 
fessed by the guilty, then we have nothing more 
to do here !” 

Menzikoff trembled for the effect of these 
words upon the Czar. The Czar did not alter 
his mien, but, without either vexation or dis- 
pleasure at the candor of the officer, answered 
him calmly : 

“ Be seated again, and listen what else may be 
brought to light in this case.” 

The captain obeyed. 

Very well,” said he, “ as your majesty has 
summoned us to judge this case of Menzikoff, 
we must also learn what that paper contains ; the 


fortune’s arrogance. 


147 


accused, during the reading, must stand at the 
door, and then leave the room. 1, as the young- 
est member of the court, must speak my opinion 
first.” 

“ Do you hear,” said the Czar, turning ' to 
Menzikoff, “ what is to be done ? Very well, let 
justice take its course. Go to the door !” 

Pale as death, for he believed all to be lost, 
Menzikoff arose and staggered through the room. 
His document was read, and thereupon he re- 
ceived instructions to leave the apartment. 

“ Now speak !” said the Czar to the captain. 

Well then,” said this one, “ we have all per- 
ceived that Menzikoff, instead of requiting the 
high tokens of your favor by integrity and 
loyalty, has instead, betrayed and defrauded the 
Czar and the kingdom, and has treated his best 
benefactor with . insolence. He deserves no 
mercy. I vote that he should lose his fortune 
and his life!” 

“ Continue 1” said the Czar calmly. “ Let one 
after the other render his judgment.” 


148 


PRIDE. 


Most of the members of the court, even the 
greatest landholders, who were all filled with 
envy and hate toward Menzikoff, voted the same 
as the captain ; only a few suggested a milder 
punishment, but none a less severe one than 
banishment to Siberia. Paul Iwanowitz alone 
remained true to his friendship. 

*‘Sir,” said he, “Alexander is to blame for 
wrong-doing, but he has never wronged his 
gracious ruler ! Him, at least, his faithfulness 
has never forsaken. I beg for mercy for the 
poor unfortunate !” 

“ And your cry shall avail, Paul Iwanowitz,” 
said the Czar seriously, rising from his seat and 
glancing around with a severe look at the 
assembly. “ Listen to me, all !” he continued. 
“ When it pertains to tlje life and the honor of a 
man, justice demands that, befpre anything else, 
we should weigh his trespasses and his services 
impartially. If the services outweigh the crimes, 
justice must yield to mercy. But what have 
you done ? You have only looked upon the sin 


fortune’s arrogance. 


149 


of the accused, and not remembered his services ! 
But who among you has rendered greater services 
to the Czar and to the kingdom than Alexander 
Menzikoff? He was ever wise in counsel, brave 
in war, and inviolable in faithfulness to his lord. 
More than once has he saved my life, and 
although I have received many complaints 
against him, still I have found no one who has 
loved me more faithfully than he. Therefore I 
vote for mercy. He shall not go free from a 
forfeiture of property, but life and liberty shall be 
spared him, as I still have need of them. I will 
receive your votes again.’’ 

The judges sat there deeply ashamed, for they 
well knew that the Czar had spoken the truth. 
Now their judgment was reversed. 

If Menzikoff has saved the life of the Czar, 
then we are bound to preserve his,” said they. 

Let the Czar punish him according to his own 
pleasure.” 

Menzikoff was again called in, and received 
his sentence from the Czar’s own mouth. 


13^ 


PRIDE. 


150 

“ Alexander Menzikoff/’ said the ruler to him, 
“ you are guilty of manifold frauds and dis- 
honesty. You have merited death, but in 
consideration, on the other hand, of your faith- 
ful services, you shall be punished this time only 
through your property. You shall be deprived 
of all your possessions in Urkraine, which my 
favor once bestowed upon you. You shall be 
deprived of the tobacco tax which I conferred 
upon you, and shall be dismissed from the lieu- 
tenancy of Esthland and Ingermanland. Be- 
sides this, you shall pay a fine into the state 
treasury of two hundred thousand rubles. This 
is your penalty ! But beware, lest a heavier one 
be inflicted upon you !” 

Menzikoff, who had believed that he had for- 
feited honor, freedom, and life, breathed freely 
again, and tears filled his eyes. Moved to his 
inmost heart, he threw himself at the feet of the 
Czar. The latter gently raised him. 

“ Compose yourself,” he said to ,him gently. 
“ Once again I have forgiven you, although 


fortune’s arrogance. 


I5I 

obliged to inflict a heavy penalty upon you. But 
do not forget this : now we are quits, and for new 
offenses your old services cannot be laid in the 
balance. As you sow you shall reap! Let this 
serve you in the pursuit of the right path in your 
future conduct.” 

Menzikoff humbly kissed the hand of his sov- 
ereign, and, in this moment, sincerely resolved to 
improve. The court-martial was dismissed, and 
free and unmolested, he was allowed to return to 
his home and to his anxious, distressed family. 
The unfortunate Shassiroff, however, who had 
no early services to protect him at this juncture, 
was obliged to depart to Siberia. 

The first thing which Menzikoff did, after he 
had freed his family from their fears and imparted 
to them the gracious pardon of the Czar, was to 
summon the captain of the guard, whose stern 
love of justice had almost proved fatal to him. 
The captain appeared before him, not without 
anxiety, for now, as Alexander again stood in 
the Czar’s favor, it would be an easy thing for 


152 PRIDE. 

him to make the daring accuser feel the full 
weight of his revenge. 

But his reception was entirely, different from 
what he had feared. 

Menzikofif looked at him for a short time 
silently, and as the officer humbly endured his 
glance, he suddenly advanced toward him and 
extended his hand. 

Captain,” said he, “ you must be indeed an 
upright man, and a true, devoted servant of our 
lord, the Czar, in that you dare to brave my 
enmity and revenge rather than deny your duty. 
Therefore I beg you for your friendship. Assist 
me, with your experience and judgment, to 
arrange this confused irregularity and abuse, and 
you will receive a present of two thousand ducats 
as a mark of my esteem. Do not refuse to 
accept it. Although the Czar has laid upon me 
a tolerably heavy fine, still I am rich enough to 
be able to impart some of my abundance to a 
friend.” 

The officer, overpowered by the generosity of 


fortune’s arrogance. 


53 


the powerful man, took the present, and from 
that time forward, became a faithful follower of 
his former opponent. The Czar learned of the 
affair, and the noble conduct of Menzikoff re- 
conciled him fully with him. 

“ Alexander, Alexander,” said he to him, 
when he met him again after this, “ if you would 
always act thus as you have to your adversary, 
there would never come a cloud between my 
favor atid you.” 

“From this time, henceforth, I will strive to 
truly merit the favor of your majesty,” responded 
Menzikoff; and the old relation between him and 
his lord was again established. As long as the 
Czar lived, Menzikoff never again, as formerly, 
dared to recklessly give free rein to his wanton- 
ness and avarice. The eye of the Czar was 
resting upon him, and he feared it. Well would 
it have been for him, if it had not been fear 
alone which held him within bounds! He 
would have escaped a sad end. 


CHAPTER VI. 


PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION. 

I T was on -the 27th of October, of the year 1724, 
when the Czar, accompanied by Menzikoff, 
rode from Petersburg to Lachta, to visit the 
manufactory of arms. At Lachta he saw a boat 
laden with human beings, strand, and ^imedi- 
ately sent out a sloop to aid the perishing ones. 
But, alas, the efforts of the sloop were without 
effect and the danger in which the stranded ones 
were situated, tossed about by the waves^ ap- 
peared more threatening every moment. 

“ They will not succeed ; I must go myself!” 
cried the Czar with noble ardor, and sprang into 
a skiff 

In vain Menzikoff tried to prevent him. The 
Czar, ever ready to help, where help seemed 
necessary, shook off all entreaties and arguments, 
pushed off from the shore, and hastened to the 

(154) 


PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION. 1 55 

assistance of the piteous beings. Unfortunately 
the water was too shallow to allow the boat to 
approach near enough, and without regard for 
himself, the Czar sprang into the water, waded 
to the stranded vessel, and did not relax his 
exertions until he had freed it, and saw it floating 
again, free upon the waves. 

The stranded ones were saved, but by this 
noble self-sacrifice the Czar caught a severe cold, 
which, all too soon, resulted in death. The next 
night he was seized with fever, and his illness 
increased each day until he was unable to leave 
his bed. 

His wife, Katherine, did not leave his side, but 
devoted herself to him with the most touching 
solicitude and the most faithful devotion. Men- 
zikoff also was with him a great deal, and heard 
many admonitions from him. 

“ Guard yourself!” said the Czar to him, a few 
days before his death. I have made you great 
— greater than any one in the kingdom ; so 
strive, by virtue and goodness, to retain your 


156 


PRIDE. 


high position. Your own actions and deeds 
will determine your destiny !” 

On February 8, 1725, the Czar, reconciled to. 
God and mourned by his people, breathed out 
his great soul. Menzikoff paid the tribute of 
tears to his noble benefactor, and could scarcely 
separate from his beloved dead, to restore his 
own body, exhausted by anguish of soul and 
night watches. But fate did not grant him a long 
rest. 

“ Up, Alexander !” whispered a voice in his 
ear. “Be careful for your safety, if you do not 
wish to hang on the gallows to-morrow !” 

Menzikoff quickly sprang from his couch. 

“You, Paul Iwanowitz, my friend!” he ex- 
claimed. “ What news do you bring me ?” 

“ The information that a conspiracy is in 
progress, to raise the young prince Peter to the 
throne and banish the Czarina Katherine 1 ” 

“That must not be!” exclaimed Menzikoff, 
quickly. “ The Czar himself appointed his wife 
as his successor to the throne, during the 


PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION. 1 57 

minority of the prince. Accordingly/after his 
death, his will must still be our law. Up, Paul 
Iwanowitz, assemble the officers of the guard ! 
I will trust their faithfulness to protect the 
Czarina !” 

Paul Iwanowitz obeyed instantly, and Menzi- 
koff hastened to the Czarina. 

It was high time, for already the conspirators 
had gathered in the great saloon of the palace, 
and were on the point of proceeding in their 
purpose. In the ante-room, Menzikoff learned 
how near the danger was, and quickly resolved 
upon his measures. A captain of the guard, 
fortunately the very one whom he had formerly 
made his friend by his magnanimity, and a few 
other trusty officers, were found near at hand. 
Menzikoff gave orders to them, whilst, at the 
same time, he threatened the disobedient with 
death, and promised a rich reward and promo- 
tion to the faithful. The officers rendered obedi- 
ence. A few of them were dispatched to secure 
the safety of the state treasuiy, and the captain 


14 


158 PRIDE. 

was ordered to hasten in search of Paul Iwano- 
witz, who should hasten thither, not only with 
the officers of the guard, but with the whole 
regiment. 

While these orders were being fulfilled, Menzi- 
koff sought the Czarina, assured her of his faith- 
fulness, and begged her that when he should give 
the signal, she would, without fear, step in among 
the conspirators. The Czarina promised, and 
then Menzikoff advanced boldly into the room, 
where he was received only with hostile glances. 

“ Let the lords give themselves no farther 
trouble,” said he, calmly, to the assembly. “ I 
am aware of your plans and purposes, but I know 
also the will of our noble, gracious lord. Long 
live the Czarina Katharine.” 

No one joined in the cry; a few voices indeed 
cried: “Seize the traitor!” and a foreboding 
emotion filled the crowd. One rushed upon 
Menzikoff with a drawn sword; the tumult in- 
creased; the scale appeared about to turn even a 
hair’s breadth; Menzikoff himself took a step 


PRIDE GOES BEFORE DEStWcTION. 1 59 

backward and changed color ; — then, all at once 
the rolling drum was heard in the court-yard of 
the palace, and Menzikoff drew a deep breath of 
relief. 

“What does this mean?” cried the governor 
of the palace, in anger. “ Who has dared to lead 
troops here without my knowledge?” 

“ I !” responded Menzikoff, and stepped amidst 
the conspirators with the air of sovereignty. “ I 
have done it by the command of the Czarina, to 
whom each good subject owes obedience. Again 
I cry : Long live the Czarina !” 

Now all was quiet as before, but the former 
fierce, haughty glances had lost their fire, and now 
blanched faces stared at each other in confusion 
and consternation. Menzikoff, taking advantage 
of this moment of despair, gave the concerted 
signal; the side-doors of the saloon flew open, 
and with majestic, commanding mien, nobility and 
gentleness in her noble features, the Czarina 
Katherine stepped into the saloon. 

“ Hear me, you nobles of my kingdom !” she 


i6o 


PRIDE. 


said, with a firm voice. “ Although bowed down 
with sorrow, still I come to destroy all the appre- 
hensions which you have felt, and to inform you 
that I, fulfilling the will of my beloved husband 
who shared his throne with me, will devote the 
rest of my life to the heavy cares of the kingdom. 
In no respect do I think to cut off the Prince 
Peter as successor to the throne, but this shall be 
guarded for him after my death; and if the 
Prince will obey my instructions, then in my sor- 
rowing widowhood I may be cheered with the 
hope that I am raising you a Czar, who will be 
worthy of the blood and name of his noble 
father." 

The eyes of the conspirators were still fixed 
upon the floor, but Menzikoff advanced and said 
with vehemence : 

“ What must we then think, my lords ? Our 
great Czar desired that, after his death, his noble 
wife should be our beloved ruler, and no one dare 
oppose his high authority. A traitor is he who 
does not join in the cry: ‘Long live our excel- 
lent ruler, the Czarina Katharine ! ’ " 


PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION. l6l 

In a moment, the whole assembly joined in the 
cry, and no one wanted to be the last to utter the 
words. They threw themselves at the feet of the 
Czarina, and Menzikoff continued : 

“We recognize you as our most gracious 
Czarina and ruler!” he said, with ardent feeling, 
“and dedicate our lives and our possessions to 
you 1 ” 

“ It is well,” responded Katherine; “ I will ever 
be the mother of the country !” 

All then kissed her hand, and as she advanced 
to the window to show herself to the troops, 
certain ones among her attendants cried out, 
together : “ Long live the Czarina Katherine 1” 

Like a thunder peal the cry was answered 
from below. Officers and soldiers repeated it 
with joyful enthusiasm, and every opposition 
was broken — all had vanished, even the slightest 
shadow of danger which had threatened the 
Czarina. 

It was chiefly Jthe work of Menzikoff and his 
faithfulness which allowed Katherine to ascend 
I. 


14 ^ 


i 62 


PRIDE. 


the throne without the shedding of blood and a 
fearful convulsion of the realm. The noble 
Czarina showed herself not ungrateful for the 
great zeal and decision of her subject. The star 
of Menzikoff’s fortune beamed with still brighter 
brilliancy than ever, and still greater favor was 
shown him by the Czarina than he had enjoyed 
in earlier times from the Czar. His riches were 
immense, his influence the most powerful. He 
had over a hundred thousand peasants as his 
slaves, his treasure amounted to more than a ton 
of gold, and it was a current saying that he 
could travel through the whole of Russia, from 
Riga to Dervent, and sleep each night in one ot 
his own residences. 

It is scarcely to be wondered at, that Menzi- 
koff, intoxicated by such wonderful fortune, 
became ever bolder, more authoritative, more 
insolent. It appears that, since the death of the 
Czar, he felt that he had freed himself from 
strong reins, and as though Peter had been the 
only one before whose greatness he had uncon- 


PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION. 1 63 

ditionally bowed, whose noble spirit had inspired 
him at once with awe and love. He felt himself 
far above the Russian nobles, and even believed 
that, by artifice, strategy, and dexterity he could 
lead the Czarina herself. Still he restrained him- 
self; he did not dare to advance against the 
noble ruler of Russia in open resistance, and 
therefore the star of his fortune beamed with an 
undiminished light until the death of the Czarina, 
which followed soon after the death of her hus- 
band, May 6, 1727. Even this death raised him 
to the highest pinnacle of his power ; for while 
upon her death-bed, the Czarina betrothed her 
successor to the throne, the young crown- prince 
Peter, to Maria, the oldest daughter of Menzikoff^ 
and to the latter intrusted the reins of the govern- 
ment during the minority of the crown-prince. 

Thus stood Menzikoff in a halo of glory, such 
as is seldom granted to a subject, and it would 
have needed only a little moderation to have 
retained him in this high position to the end of 
his life. 


164 


PRIDE. 


But his haughty ambition soon forgot this 
moderation: he forgot the warning of his de- 
parted ruler, the great Czar ; forgot the practical 
lesson revealed in the words : “ As you sow, you 
shall reap,” and finally he forgot the prophecy 
of old Iwan, who formerly, when Alexander was 
still a little pastry boy, had said to him; “You 
will be the first in the kingdom of Russia, after 
God and the Czar, but woe unto you, if you desire 
to climb higher I ” 

He fell into the blindest self-confidence, and 
conducted himself as though now, at last, after 
the death of Katherine, there was no one higher 
than himself. He considered and treated the 
young Czar more as his pupil than as his ruler, 
and indeed truly believed that, by the latter’s 
alliance with his daughter, he had won the right 
and authority over him. Whatever stood in his 
way must either be servilely subdued to his will, 
or c st out and banished from the court without 
mercy. All feared and dreaded him more, and 
rendered him even as strict an obedience as to 


PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION. 1 65 

the departed Czar ; all bowed beneath his power, 
and a swift revenge mercilessly overtook that 
unfortunate one who dared to withstand him. 
The most distinguished nobles of the land trem- 
bled before him, and scarcely dared to breathe in 
his presence. At his own pleasure, any one, 
who, although he might not be exactly a traitor, 
had dared to question his right to unlimited 
dominion, was seized and put in prison or ban- 
ished to Siberia. 

But all this would not have ruined him, if he 
had not gone so f^r in his infatuation, as to use 
the grossest insolence even to his lord, the 
3^oung Czar, and to treat him as a willful boy. 
Although the young Czar was then but twelve 
years old, still he had a full understanding of the 
high dignity which clothed him, and the inso- 
lence of his guardian at first began to vex him, 
and then to embitter him. True, Menzikoff 
laughed at his anger, which he believed to be 
helpless, and which could be easily suppressed at 
any time. But he forgot, that, nevertheless, the 


i66 


PRIDE. 


twelve-year old boy was still his Emperor, who 
demanded the fear and obedience of each one of 
his subjects, and this error very soon became the 
cause of his fall from the summit of his power 
to the gulf of his misery. 

The next cause of Menzikoff’s downfall was 
his unbounded avarice, which, notwithstanding 
the immense fortune which he possessed, could 
not be controlled. Ever on the alert to increase 
his riches, ever following the impulses of his 
avarice, he one day so far forgot himself, that the 
young Czar, who had hitherto silently, although 
unwillingly, borne his usurpation, was obliged to 
give him a severe rebuke. 

Through one of his creatures, who served 
him as a spy, he learned that the servant who 
had charge of the purse for settling the house- 
hold expenses of the Czar, had delivered over to 
the Czar himself the sum remaining above ex- 
penses. As the servant had done this without 
his knowledge, possibly against his orders, 
Menzikoff sent for him, scolded him, treated 


PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION. 1 67 

him very harshly, and gave him his dismissal 
upon the spot. Weeping, the unhappy man left 
the room, sorrowfully crept to the apartments of 
the Czar, to take leave of his comrades and to 
bewail his misfortune. Accidentally, and to his 
good fortune, he was met by the young Czar, 
who immediately noticed the dejection and grief 
of his servant. 

“ What is the matter with you, Aluska ?” he 
kindly inquired. “ Why do you weep ? Who 
has wounded you ?” 

Of his own impulse, the poor man would not 
have dared to complain to the Czar concerning 
the harsh treatment of the all-powerful minister, 
but now, however, when the Czar himself in- 
quired, he freely related all that had happened 
to him, and what fruit his devotion to his young 
ruler had borne. The Czar listened in indigna- 
tion. 

This is too much,” he said, in anger. “ You 
shall remain, Aluska ! I will not allow the faith- 
ful to receive punishment instead of reward. 


PRIDE. 


1 68 

Do not fear Menzikoff; I will soon show him his 
insolence !” 

Immediately, his heart still full of wrath, he 
hastened to Menzikoff, earnestly reproached him 
for his presumptuous proceeding, and with the 
tones of a ruler, ordered him to keep in his own 
position in the future, and not to meddle with the 
personal affairs of the Czar. Menzikoff wished 
to excuse himself, but the young Czar, with flash- 
ing eyes, interrupted his speech. 

“Silence!” he commanded him. “You have 
overreached yourself and I will accept no apol- 
ogy. Beware, Menzikoff, lest I forget who was 
once the best friend of my great ancestor. You 
rendered services to hinty not to me. Hereafter 
guard your actions.” 

Before the astounded Menzikoff could recover 
his speech, he turned his back and departed. 
Menzikoff gazed after him with mingled feelings 
of indignation and apprehension. To his mis- 
fortune, the former held the strongest place in his 
heart. 


PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION. 1 69 

“It appears that the young eagle wishes to 
fly/’ he murmured to himself. “ One must clip 
his wings a little!” 

Instead of this occurrence serving as a warning, 
and teaching a lesson for future discretion and 
restraint, Menzikoff, on the other hand, used 
this occasion to come forth more insolent and 
arbitrary. Another opportunity soon offered 
itself 

The Building Association of St. Petersburg 
made the young Czar a present of nine thousand 
ducats, as a mark of their love and attachment. 
The emperor was much pleased, thanked the 
good people for their gift, dismissed them most 
graciously and called to a nobleman whom he 
had shown much kindness. 

“ See here, Gallizin,” said he, pointing to the 
gold, “ my builders have brought me this, to give 
me pleasure. What shall I do now with so 
much gold? For myself, I already have 
enough!” 

“Then let us present it to your majesty’s 

15 


170 


PRIDE. 


sister/’ responded the nobleman. “ I am certain 
that such a gift will be welcome.” 

“You are right! That is a good idea!” said 
the Czar with enthusiasm. “My dear Natalie 
will be rejoiced to receive a token of my broth- 
erly love. Also her purse is almost always 
nearly empty, as the parsimonious Menzikoff fills 
it very sparingly. Carry this gold to her im- 
mediately, and give her my greetings !” 

The nobleman hastened to fulfill the orders of 
the Czar, placed the gold in a casket, and turned 
toward the apartments of the princess. But, 
however zealous in the service he might be, he 
could not reach thither, for in the corridor he 
met the much feared Menzikoff, who stopped 
him. 

“ What have you there ?” he inquired. 

Without hesitation, the nobleman told the 
truth. 

“Nine thousand ducats! That is a great sum, 
which should not be carelessly wasted!” re- 
sponded Menzikoff. ' “I see well that the 


PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION. I71 

Emperor is still too young, and does not yet 
understand how to regard money. Take the 
money to my room, my dear Gallizin! I will 
speak to the Emperor about it.” 

The nobleman stepped back, dismayed, “ I 
dare not do so,” he replied. “ I will incur the 
greatest displeasure !” 

Foolishness, foolishness,” said Menzikoff with 
an insolent laugh. “ If you remain in my favor, 
then you can spare any others, whosoever it may 
be. Quick, to my room ! I will accompany you !” 

As the nobleman still hesitated, Menzikoff 
angrily seized him by the arm and shook him. 

“Obey, young man!” said he, threateningly, 
“Forward, upon the spot, or I will call the 
guards, and have you sent to Siberia!” 

This threat, the fulfillment of which would have 
cost the then all-powerful man but a glance, in- 
timidated the nobleman. 

“ I obey,” said he, white with terror. “ But 
your excellency will have the grace to protect 
me from the displeasure of the Emperor.” 


72 


PRIDE. 


“ I will SO care for you, that the Emperor will 
have to travel a far distance, if he wishes to say 
an angry word to you,” answered Menzikoff. 
“ As soon as you have deposited the money in 
my room, mount a horse and carry a dispatch to 
the governor of Dervent. By the time you 
return, these nine thousand ducats will be long 
forgotten.” 

The nobleman dared not object. Immediately 
after the delivery of the money, he mounted his 
horse and rode away, without daring to take 
leave of his young lord, and Menzikoff laughed 
mockingly behind him as he locked the ducats 
so easily obtained, in his bank. 

The young Czar did not think of the gold 
again, nor of the nobleman, as immediately after 
the departure of the latter, he undertook a hunt- 
ing expedition, and the day passed by peacefully 
without bringing the shadow of a cloud over the 
horizon of Menzikoff’s fortune. Never had he 
been livelier in his family circle than just th s 
very evening, and no presentiment of disaster 


PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION. 1 73 

entered his soul, although the bolt, which would 
shatter his whole dominion, already hung threat- 
eningly over his head. 

On the following morning the storm broke. 

The princess Natalie came early, as usual, to 
her brother, to breakfast in his company. Natur- 
ally the young Czar expected a few friendly 
words concerning his gift, but as the princess had 
not received it, naturally also she did not men- 
tion it. 

“But why is this?” finally inquired the 
Emperor. “Have you not rejoiced, even the 
least, over my kind attention?” 

The princess did not know what her brother 
meant; the Czar finally told her, and the truth 
was revealed. In great wrath, the Czar hastened 
in search of the nobleman ; the entire household 
of the palace assisted in the search, and at length 
it was discovered by a lackey, that Gallizin had 
been sent to Dervent by the order of Count 
Menzikofif, after he had deposited the missing 
sum of money in the room of the Count. The 


15- 


174 


PRIDE. 


young Czar was beside himself with indignation 
at the boldness of his subject, and issued the 
strictest order for Menzikoff to appear before 
him immediately. 

Menzikoff obeyed the summons, but he did not 
dream what a storm was gathering about his 
head. With his wonted proud and lofty air, he 
appeared before his young lord, as though not 
the slightest complaint could be brought against 
him. Nevertheless, he became terrified when he 
marked the angry look and the menacing glance 
as the young prince’s eye rested upon him. 

“ How could you dare to hinder the nobleman 
Gallizin from carrying out my orders?” asked 
the Czar, indignantly. “And still more! How 
dared you, like a common robber, to steal the 
gold which I had sent to my sister? Answer!” 

Menzikoff became pale. Like a flash of light- 
ning, the thought pierced him that this would be 
the end of his dominion if he could not succeed 
in averting this sudden outburst of the storm. 
In his confusion, he could not immediately regain 


PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION. 1 75 

his usual composure, which had hitherto always 
acted as a restraint upon the Czar. He stam- 
mered apologies. 

“ Pardon, your majesty,” said he, wholly con- 
fused — ‘Hhe needs of the state — the reduced 
condition of the treasury — I thought to find a 
more useful employment for the money! If 
your majesty commands it, I will immediately 
return not only the nine thousand ducats but add 
to it a million rubles from my own possessions 1 
I assure your majesty that I — ” 

“ That you are the greatest rascal in my king- 
dom, I know alone!” sharply interposed the 
Czar. “ This assurance I do not need, as I know 
you well! If the treasury is empty, then the 
reason must be that the contents have flowed 
into your private treasury. You dare not usurp 
my place ! Am I not the Emperor ? Can I not 
do what I will with my money without your per- 
mission? Leave me! you shall hear further 
from me !” 

Menzikoff was undone, and at this moment 


176 


PRIDE. 


there occurred to him, what he had hitherto 
orgotten — the prophecy of old Iwan : “Woe unto 
thee, if thou desirest to be greater than the 
Czar !“ The earth seemed to sink beneath him ; 
his senses seemed to desert him. He threw 
himself at the feet of his young ruler, and begged 
for pardon. 

But it was too late. The Czar dismissed him 
in anger and turned from him. Menzikoff who 
now, humbly begging for grace, lay at his feet, 
had so far removed himself that he was inspired 
with neither respect nor pity for him. Not being 
able to secure pardon, Menzikoff was finally 
obliged to depart. 

“ I am lost !” murmured he, and the confirma- 
tion of his worst fears did not long tarry. 

Lik-e wildfire, the rumor of the fall and dis- 
grace of the hitherto all-powerful minister, 
spread through the palace and the city, and of 
one accord, in an instant, there arose countless 
enemies of the deposed one, who through fear 
of the despot, had kept silence until now. 


PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION. 

Countless complaints and grievances came to the 
ears of the young Czar, which naturally did not 
tend to reconcile him toward Menzikoff. The 
proud despot, before whom hitherto every head 
had bowed, whom every tongue had flattered, 
now found himself without a single friend to 
defend him. The hypocrites and flatterers aban- 
doned him, and even pursued him with lies and 
abuse. Paul Iwanowitz could afford him no 
assistance, for he was far away among the mines 
of the Ural mountains, whither Menzikoff him- 
self had sent him, to superintend the profits of 
the precious metal, so that they might flow into 
his treasury, undiminished by small frauds. So 
that the demon of greed and avarice had even 
removed from him his one friend. Menzikoff 
must pay dearly for his offense, as now the 
remembrance of his former faithfulness would no 
longer serve as a refuge and shield. He had 
only rendered his services to those dead, and the 
voices of the* dead resounded not from their 
silent graves. 


M 


I7S 


PRIDE. 


With swift wings misfortune overtook him and 
cast him down, even as swiftly as fortune had 
formerly raised him. Still Menzikoff continued 
to hope that he could, at least, avert the extrem- 
est sentence, banishment to Siberia. The dis- 
pleasure of the Emperor rested heavily upon 
him, but it did not seem possible that it would 
extend so far as to cast him into utter ruin. 

At first a ray of hope gleamed — the Czar 
indeed banished him from his presence, exiled 
him to his estate Oranienburg, and permitted 
him to take with him, his family, his treasures, 
and his servants. 

“ I am saved !” rejoiced Menzikoff — but he re- 
joiced too soon, and not with a happy heart 
would he again behold his beautiful castle Orani- 
enburg. 

While yet upon the way thither, in Twer, a royal 
command met him to abandon all his posses- 
sions and to retain only the most needful. He 
must relinquish all his orders, and his attendant 
guards were doubled. Baggage and servants 


PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION. 1 79 

were sent back and, as a prisoner, he arrived with 
his family at Oranienburg. 

He now believed that he had drained the cup 
of his misfortune, but a fate still worse than 
imprisonment upon his own property and estate, 
was hanging over him. His enemies did not 
rest. Ever heavier crimes were brought against 
him, and his pursuers did not scruple to impute 
false crimes to him of which his own conscience 
acquitted him. But the voice of the unfortunate 
one would never be heard again, as the countless 
enemies had an easy game against him. The 
deepest fall was inevitable, the most crushing 
destiny could not be averted. The final judg- 
ment ran : 

Banishment to Siberia. 

Contrary to expectation. Count Menzikoff re- 
ceived this harsh and dreaded sentence with wise 
and truly wonderful composure. Only for a 
moment did he change color and turn pale, and 
then quietly asked concerning the fate of his 
family. When he heard that his wife and child- 


i8o 


PRIDE. 


ren would not be considered guilty, he lifted a 
happy glance to heaven. 

“ I thank thee, God !” he gently murmured 
with trembling lips. 

Then turning to the announcer of the sentence 
of banishment, he said calmly : “ Do your duty ! 
I submit to my fate and am ready.” 

Only once did his decision waver, as his wife 
and children, overcome with tears, sank upon his 
breast, weeping and moaning. 

I weep for you !” said he, much moved. 
“ But I hope you will still see happy days !” 

“ Only at your side, and united with you !” 
cried all, and with loving constancy assured him 
that they would never part from him, but follow 
him into banishment. And now his eyes too 
overflowed with tears, and the balm of love soft- 
ened the bitterness of the unspeakable pain. 


CHAPTER VIL 


THE ATONEMENT OF REPENTANCE. 

IV MISFORTUNE, not excepting that which 
one’s self merits, when it is accompanied 
by sincere repentance, exercises a purifying 
power, and this power was experienced also by 
Menzikoff, so bowed and crushed was his heart. 
His soul quickly arose above all losses of pos- 
sessions, the loss of his immense riches and his 
property, fbj^ this loss had brought him nobler 
riches, that which he had long lost, namely — 
true humility y which nobly submits to the inevi- 
table. 

Menzikoff had always been a good and loving 
father; now, when his heart became purified 
from the ignoble dross of base desires and pas- 
sions, he recognized more than ever, the perhaps 
not brilliant, but truly blessed joy of home life. 
He confided most implicitly in his wife and 

(i8i) 


82 


PRIDE. 


children, who, on their side, yielded him their 
devoted and filial affection in the most open and 
true manner. 

Before his final destiny had been decided, 
many hindrances had been placed in the way to 
prevent the undisturbed union of the unfortunate 
family; but now, especially after their firm and 
outspoken conclusion to accompany their father 
into banishment, greater freedom of intercourse 
was allowed them. Menzikoff used this oppor- 
tunity to comfort his weeping and broken wife 
and his sorrowful children ; and to cheer them 
with manly and Christian words, bidding them 
cast themselves upon the care and mercy of the 
all-pitiful One above the clouds, and to call un{o * 
him that the burden of misfortune might be 
easier to bear than the heavy weight of power. 

Nor were his tender words without effect ; the 
tears of his children were chased away, hope 
sprang again in their young hearts, and they 
trustfully looked to the future. Only his wife 
was not able to arise from the fearful blow which 


THE ATONEMENT OF REPENTANCE. ^ 1 83 

had fallen upon their family. In the prospects 
of her children, she experienced a thousandfold 
anguish; and the gloomy thoughts that these 
precious ones, accustomed to the splendor of 
riches, would be obliged to meet sad misery, 
broke her mother-heart, and no balm could 
afford her comfort, or soften the bitterness of her 
feelings. Sunk in the deepest sadness, blinded 
with much weeping, God took pity on her great 
pain and called her from the sorrowful vale of 
earth to a better world, before she had trod the 
wild, desert, wintry steppes of Siberia. 

Menzikoff bore this loss too, this deathly pain 
with gentle, God-given calm. 

“ It is well for her,” he said to his sorrowing 
children. “Weep not, but rejoice that God is 
more merciful than men. All earthly cares have 
been taken from her, and the heavenly palms of 
peace blow around her. Shall we grieve that she 
no longer suffers with us and endures pain ? 
She rests in God and in his everlasting blessed- 
ness, and soon, I hope, we will be united with 
her, never to be separated again ! ” 


PRIDE. 


184 

The sad hour for the beginning of the journey 
into the distant wilderness of banishment finally 
drew near, and in this moment of trial also 
Menzikoff did not lose his composure. He 
knew .the young officer of the Preobrazevski 
guard who had been commissioned to conduct 
him to Siberia, and when he advanced to him 
and requested him to mount the wagon in wait- 
ing, he received the instruction with undisturbed 
mien. 

“Young man,” said he gently to the officer, 
“ a few weeks ago you were obliged to do me 
great reverence, and had scarcely the courage to 
appear before me. Now I am in your power! 
I have become nothing ; God had made me 
something ; now He again makes me nothing ; 
praise be to His name!” 

As the young officer, moved at the sight of 
fallen greatness, answered nothing beyond mak- 
ing a deep bow, Menzikoff turned to his children 
and opened his arms to them. Weeping, they 
sank upon his breast. 


THE ATONEMENT OF REPENTANCE. 1 85 

“ Be calm,” he said, comfortingly. “ God is 
over all, even the remotest desert, and He, the 
all-pitiful, will not desert us, but raise our 
crushed hearts again, through the sovereign 
power of His love and mercy !” 

All the customary clothing had been removed 
from the banished and fur garments given in- 
stead. Wrapped in these, they mounted the 
wagon in waiting, and turning their back to the 
former power and dominion, they departed to 
the gloom of a sad pitiful fate. 

Again and again, even upon this sad journey, 
the calm Christian courage of this fallen, unhappy 
Prince displayed itself, and he was a true comfort 
to his faint-hearted children. For every sorrow 
and trial, for every severity and privation he 
found words of comfort, of cheer, of courage, and 
so this painful journey was borne far better than 
any one had dared to hope in the outset. Still 
his own grief was very great. The young 
princes, accustomed to sleep upon soft silken 
pillows, surrounded by all the pleasures of lux- 
16* 


PRIDE. 


1 86 

ury, were now obliged to spend many long 
nights in miserable huts in which not even a 
straw bed could be had. They, accustomed to 
dine at a royal table upon which all the costly 
products of the whole world were heaped, now 
often scarcely found a dry crust of bread to quiet 
their hunger. They, at whose side hitherto a 
hundred servants stood in waiting to satisfy each 
glance, each thought, each desire, were now 
obliged to serve themselves ancf to reach a help- 
ing hand on every side, as none were to help 
them! How often was even water lacking to 
wash their hands 1 How many thousand wants 
and privations must they patiently bear! To 
how many humble employments and services 
must they become accustomed! The future 
noble bride of the Czar was obliged to mend her 
stockings with her own hands and to wash her 
small scanty washing, she, whose fingers had 
been far too delicate to even pick a rose ! 

But the courage of their father imparted strength 
to the children also, and no complaints concerning 


THE ATONEMENT OF REPENTANCE. 1 8 / 

their hard lot escaped their lips. They patiently 
and silently bore with humble composure as their 
father, who was to them a worthy example. 

Menzikoff displayed true greatness of soul on 
various occasions. While on the way, people, 
who thinking themselves to have suffered some- 
thing during his former power, unworthily abused 
him and covered him with reproaches. Such an 
event happened, for example, in Tobolsk, where 
two men, who had formerly been sent to Siberia 
at Menzikoff’s command, boldly stepped before 
him, attacked him, and, unmoved by the silent 
grief of his family, gave vent to their hate and 
anger of the wounded lion, in mean and low 
abuse. Menzikoff listened to them quietly and 
patiently, and then gently said to the one : 

“As you can revenge yourself upon a fallen 
enemy in no other way than by heaping upon 
him a flood of abuse, so proceed then to your full 
satisfaction. With respect to me, I will listen to 
you without hate or ill-will. If I have sacrificed 
you to my plans, it has happened because I knew 


i88 


PRIDE. 


that you possessed much merit but also much 
pride. I discovered in you an impediment to 
my plans, and therefore I overthrew you. You 
would have done the same thing had you been 
in my position. It is a necessity of self-defense.” 

Thereupon he quietly turned to the other 
man: 

“ Concerning you,” he said with the same 
gentleness, “ I did not even know that you were 
banished, as I had no personal motive to harm 
you. If you have been banished, it must have 
been through some secret agency in which my 
name has been used without my knowledge. 
When I no longer saw you, I took it for granted 
that you were dead or were upon a journey. 
Thus the matter hath explained itself. If, how- 
ever, the abuse whicl\ you cast upon me, is a 
relief to your sorrow, then continue; far be it 
from me to oppose you.” 

Thereupon a third exile, in a great rage 
hastened forward, pressed fiercely through the 
gathered crowd, seized two handsful of dirt from 


THE ATONEMENT OF REPENTANCE. 1 89 

the street and threw it at the children of Menzi- 
koff, first upon the young Prince Alexander, and 
then in the face of his sister. At this pitiful 
abuse a quick blush glowed and mounted to 
Menzikoff s forehead, but he immediately checked 
the swelling and rising revolt of his full heart. 

“ Man,” he said to the miserable creature, with 
wonderful calmness, “your conduct is as in- 
famous as foolish. If you think you have been 
injured by me, and wish to be revenged, revenge 
yourself upon me and not upon these unfortunate 
children. Their father may indeed be deserving 
— but they are blameless!” 

Menzikoff’s calmness and gentleness were not 
without effect. With true displeasure, the crowd 
drove away the miserable insulters of the prince, 
and by their moderation and reserve showed 
their sympathy. 

Upon leaving Tobolsk, the family of Menzikoff 
was obliged to continue the journey in a little 
open car, drawn now by a horse and then by 
dogs. One day, while they were stopping in the 


PRIDE. 


190 

hut of a poor Siberian peasant, the door suddenly 
opened, and unexpectedly there stepped in the 
one single true friend of the outcast — Paul Iwan- 
owitz. 

Menzikoff knew him in an instant; Paul, on 
the contrary, who had not yet learned of the fall 
of his friend, considered those present to be the 
family of the peasant. Moreover, it was quite 
dark in the hut, so that nothing could be seen 
distinctly. 

“ Paul Iwanowitz !” exclaimed Menzikoff. 
“ What accident brings you here ?” 

“ Who are you ?” asked Paul, astonished. I 
do not know you.” 

Do you not know your Alexander?” 

“ What Alexander ?” 

“ Alexander Menzikoff!” 

“ O, certainly I know him. He is indeed my 
patron and my friend 1” 

“ Well then, see, he stands before you 1” he 
exclaimed, opening his arms to Paul. 

“ You are crazy I” responded Paul. “ You, a 


THE ATONEMENT OF REPENTANCE. I9I 

poor peasant, do you wish to pass yourself off 
for the prince?” 

“ No, no, Paul, it is I !” said Menzikoff, seizing 
his friend’s hand and leading him to the open 
door, through which light entered the hut. 
“ Look at me !” he continued. “ Notwithstanding 
the sorrow-disfigured features, you will still 
recognize your old friend now.” 

Paul Iwanowitz uttered a cry of horror, and 
fell upon the neck of Menzikoff. 

“ Unhappy one !” he cried in tears. “ What 
fate has brought you hither ?” 

“ The just punishment of God for my pride, 
my arrogance, and my avarice, has overtaken 
me !” replied Menzikoff calmly, and then, in a 
few words, informed his friend of the details of 
his fall. 

Paul listened with deep agitation, and bewailed 
his misfortune, and at the same time sought to 
comfort him. To their sorrow, poor Menzikoff 
was not long permitted to rejoice in the loving 
sympathy of his friend. The commanding 


192 


PRIDE. 


officer ordered the journey to be resumed, and 
he must obey. Paul Iwanowitz had scarcely 
time to embrace him and his children, and to 
assure all of his inmost sympathy; then they 
were torn from him. With eyes filled with tears 
Paul looked after them, until the miserable car 
disappeared by a turn of the street. 

Finally, after a tedious journey, the poor un- 
fortunates reached their appointed place and 
arranged a little house. The dwelling contained 
four rooms, one of which Menzikoff and his son 
occupied, and his daughters a second. His 
eldest daughter took charge of the cooking, the 
younger of the washing. Menzikoff himself 
and his son worked in a small field and a vegeta- 
ble garden. 

A half-year passed in quiet and undisturbed 
peace. The former proud prince patiently sub- 
mitted to his limited lot. Often he said : 

“ I am now as poor as I have been rich, but I 
do not miss my lost possessions. Born a peas- 
ant, I shall die a peasant ! Poverty has nothing 


THE ATONEMENT OF REPENTANCE. 1 93 

that frightens me. My life has not been free of 
faults, and so I bear my present exile as the just 
penalty of my past offenses ! But my poor 
children distress me ! What wickedness have 
these innocent creatures done? Why must they 
be entangled in my ruin ? Only this one thing 
do I beseech God, that he will have the grace to 
allow my children to see their home again, and 
to permit them a better lot than mine. This is 
the last wish of my heart !” 

Alas, this wish could not be wholly fulfilled, 
for Maria, Menzikofif’s oldest daughter, died in 
her father’s arms, before a year of the banish- 
ment had flown. This loss at last broke the 
heart that had borne and suffered all else. Men- 
zikoff, exhausted by the strain and grief, fell into 
a fever and his strength quickly fled. He felt 
his end near, but the thought of his earthly dis- 
solution imparted no fear. When he became 
conscious that his last hour had come, he called 
his two remaining children to his bed and blessed 
them. 


17 


N 


194 


PRIDE. 


“ My beloved,” he said, God calls me before 
his throne. Death would be but a joy to me if I 
would be obliged to give my account in appear- 
ing before Jehovah, only for the time I have been 
in banishment! But one hope remains to me: 
God sees my heart and sees my repentance! As 
his justice is infinite, not the less is his mercy 
also, and upon it I place my trust ! My precious 
children — but you ! The thought of you is the 
sting that embitters my parting! To leave you 
helpless in this desert, rends my heart ! O, my 
God, my merciful God, chastise me with your 
sternest justice, but take pity on these poor child- 
ren and grant them your almighty protection!” 

His voice broke, his children kneeled before 
his bed, and wept bitterly. The unhappy Menzi- 
koff wrung his hands and raised his eyes pite- 
ously to heaven. 

Hark, a swift step sounds — it hastily draws 
nearer — the door is torn open — a noble form 
steps hurriedly in — a smile spreads over the 
dying features of the banished Prince. 


THE ATONEMENT OF REPENTANCE. 1 95 

“ Paul Iwanowitz !” he cried to the new-comer 
with the last strength of his voice. “ I see you 
bring me a joyful message !’' 

“ I bring grace and pardon, my true friend, for 
you and yours! The Czar has listened to my 
voice ; he is reconciled !” 

A look of highest ecstasy beamed toward 
heaven from MenzikofCs dying eyes. 

“Thanks, my God, for this mercy!” he mur- 
mured. “ Now I die peacefully and satisfied. 
Heaven’s blessing rest upon you, my beloved 
children ! Bless you too, my true friend ! God, 
the merciful, be with me also in eternity ! Amen ! 
Into thy hands do I commit my soul !” 

Once more he reached out his hand to bless 
his children, but his strength failed him, his head 
fell, a slight spasm passed over him and his life 
was ended. Paul Iwanowitz took the two sob- 
bing orphans in his arms and fervently pressed 
them to his heart. 

“ Weep,” said he, softly — “ weep, but hope also ! 
I will ever be at your side as a true friend ! But 


196 


PRIDE. 


you, departed one, rest in peace, and may the 
earth lie lightly upon you. You have erred 
much, but also atoned greatly in this life, and 
mercy will receive you at the throne of the Ever- 
lasting, for repentence atones, and he is the merci- 
ful God, and his goodness endures forever !” 

The orphaned children, led by Paul, returned 
from banishment to St. Petersburg, and the bless- 
ing of their dying father went protectingly with 
them. They received a large portion of their 
former property. Their lives passed happily, 
and untroubled by any fhrther great suffering. 
The teaching of their father and his own sad 
destiny bore good fruit in their hearts. Every 
one who knew them loved them, for among their 
virtues shone gentleness, kindness, tenderness, 
and modesty. 


The End. 






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